Grazyna Helena Heifer, 73, of West Lawn Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on September 20th at Reading Hospital after a 9 month battle with lung cancer.
Born in Brodnica, Poland on October 5th 1951, she was the daughter of Kazimierz Henryk Draniewicz and Helena Glodowska. Grazyna was humbly raised and educated in what was the communist-controlled Polish People's Republic following the Second World War, along with 5 sisters and 3 brothers. After completing her secondary education, she worked briefly as a clerk at a local train station, and then as a tax collector, before obtaining a passport and traveling to America. On March 30th 1971, at the age of 19, she arrived in New York City to visit America. She remained in America and resided in Trenton, NJ until Easter of 1975, when she moved permanently to Reading, PA. She worked various entry-level jobs, including as a waitress at Stokesay Castle, until obtaining a job at Dana Corporation, where she continued to work until the plant's closure in 2000. She later worked for the Hershey Company until retirement. She was a devoted wife and mother, and an active member of the parish of St. Ignatius Loyola.
Grazyna was preceded in death by ex-husband David Michael Heifer, son Gregory Henry Heifer, brother Krzysztof Draniewicz, and sister Celina Draniewicz Kowalska.
She is survived by her son, Daniel Michael Heifer of Reading, PA, sister Barbara of Poland, sister Stella of Poland, brother Mariusz of Poland, sister Jolanta of Chicago, IL, brother Piotr of Poland, and sister Renata of Poland.
A viewing will be held from 6-8 PM on Monday, October 6th, 2025 at Kuhn Funeral Home in West Reading. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church of Sinking Spring, with burial to follow. Family and friends are welcome to gather from 9 AM until the beginning of Mass.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home is honored to serve Grazyna's family. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
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Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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