Obituary for Grazina Pleckaitis (Brazaitis)
Gražina Pleckaitis (01-17-1929 - 01-12-2022)
On January 12 of this year, the kind, gentle soul of our dear sister and aunt Gražina Pleckaitis passed into eternity.
Gražina Brazaityte-Pleckaitiene was born on January 17, 1929 in Budvieciai (Lankeliškiai parish, near Vilkaviškis), Lithuania, the second daughter of Vincas Brazaitis and Adele Samušis. Soon after her birth, the family acquired a farm in Plikiai, and Graumene- both near Klaipeda in Lithuania Minor, where she spent the early part of her childhood.
The Brazaitis family was forced into exile several times. In 1939, the Klaipeda region was forcibly annexed by the Third Reich, after which almost all Lithuanians living in the region had to leave the territory. The family settled in Virbalis until 1944, when the second Soviet occupation was on the heels of the retreating German army. They then found themselves evacuated to Berlin and lived through numerous air raids. As the Soviets advanced, they ran again further west to Bavaria- near Munich. At the end of the war, they joined thousands of their compatriots in Hanau displaced persons camp in Frankfurt until emigration to the United States in 1949.
Gražina married Vladas (Walter) Pleckaitis, an engineer, public figure within the Lithuanian community, and chairman of the Ciurlionis ensemble. Gražina and Vladas were always „joined at the hip“ never being far from each other. They did not have any children, so instead devoted their lives and love of song to the Ciurlionis ensemble, Exultate choir, St Casimir Parish, and the Lithuanian American Citizens Club. They were generous patrons to various causes and organizations whenever it was needed most. Their counsel and support to family members in times of need truly made a difference in our lives. so we never felt hopeless- even when it meant placing those concerns before their own in an almost saintly way. They were loved and respected in their neighborhood at Richmond Place condominiums, where they lived since 1977 from the very start of that community.
Gražina and Vladas passed on their traditional conservative values, love of Lithuania, deep compassion for mankind, sense of community, and concern for the environment to each and every person they knew. With a big smile and unconditional kindness, you were strangers to them only once.
She is the beloved sister of Danute Dunduras (Jonas, deceased), Albinas (deceased), Uršule (deceased), Kostas (Genovaite) (both deceased), Vladas (Birute) (both deceased); loving aunt of Richard Brazis (deceased) (Jill), Raimondas Brazaitis in Kaunas (deceased), Raymond Brazis, Regina Fabre, Ruta Brazis all of San Diego, CA, Daiva Damuleviciene of Kaunas, Andris Jonas Dunduras of Cleveland, OH, and god daughter: Kotryna Damuleviciute (Tadas) in Kaunas; sister-in-law of Jonas and Maryte of Hartford, CT and their children.
Since the passing of Vladas in 2019, Gražina lived under the care of her sister Danute and nephew Andris Jonas Dunduras. Even while her health was in decline, she always remained loving, gentle, and cheerful. Her death was a sudden one, which reminds us of how very fragile life can be, and ever changing- like clouds as you watch. A lesson can be drawn from Grazina‘s life that acts of kindness, compassion, and concern can be repaid many times over. Not only is it the right way to live, it is also in your own self interest, and what God expects from us.
Funeral mass will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at St. Casimir Parish, 18022 Neff Road (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery.
If unable to attend the funeral, the readings during mass for prayer and contemplation are: Wisdom 3:1-9, Revelation 21: 1-7. Matthew 5:1-12
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lithuanian American Citizens Club, 877 E 185th St, Cleveland, OH 44119.
"No minute gone comes back ever again Take heed and see ye nothing do in vain"
Rest in peace, Grazina! You will always be alive in our memory with your sincerity and kindness.
On January 12 of this year, the kind, gentle soul of our dear sister and aunt Gražina Pleckaitis passed into eternity.
Gražina Brazaityte-Pleckaitiene was born on January 17, 1929 in Budvieciai (Lankeliškiai parish, near Vilkaviškis), Lithuania, the second daughter of Vincas Brazaitis and Adele Samušis. Soon after her birth, the family acquired a farm in Plikiai, and Graumene- both near Klaipeda in Lithuania Minor, where she spent the early part of her childhood.
The Brazaitis family was forced into exile several times. In 1939, the Klaipeda region was forcibly annexed by the Third Reich, after which almost all Lithuanians living in the region had to leave the territory. The family settled in Virbalis until 1944, when the second Soviet occupation was on the heels of the retreating German army. They then found themselves evacuated to Berlin and lived through numerous air raids. As the Soviets advanced, they ran again further west to Bavaria- near Munich. At the end of the war, they joined thousands of their compatriots in Hanau displaced persons camp in Frankfurt until emigration to the United States in 1949.
Gražina married Vladas (Walter) Pleckaitis, an engineer, public figure within the Lithuanian community, and chairman of the Ciurlionis ensemble. Gražina and Vladas were always „joined at the hip“ never being far from each other. They did not have any children, so instead devoted their lives and love of song to the Ciurlionis ensemble, Exultate choir, St Casimir Parish, and the Lithuanian American Citizens Club. They were generous patrons to various causes and organizations whenever it was needed most. Their counsel and support to family members in times of need truly made a difference in our lives. so we never felt hopeless- even when it meant placing those concerns before their own in an almost saintly way. They were loved and respected in their neighborhood at Richmond Place condominiums, where they lived since 1977 from the very start of that community.
Gražina and Vladas passed on their traditional conservative values, love of Lithuania, deep compassion for mankind, sense of community, and concern for the environment to each and every person they knew. With a big smile and unconditional kindness, you were strangers to them only once.
She is the beloved sister of Danute Dunduras (Jonas, deceased), Albinas (deceased), Uršule (deceased), Kostas (Genovaite) (both deceased), Vladas (Birute) (both deceased); loving aunt of Richard Brazis (deceased) (Jill), Raimondas Brazaitis in Kaunas (deceased), Raymond Brazis, Regina Fabre, Ruta Brazis all of San Diego, CA, Daiva Damuleviciene of Kaunas, Andris Jonas Dunduras of Cleveland, OH, and god daughter: Kotryna Damuleviciute (Tadas) in Kaunas; sister-in-law of Jonas and Maryte of Hartford, CT and their children.
Since the passing of Vladas in 2019, Gražina lived under the care of her sister Danute and nephew Andris Jonas Dunduras. Even while her health was in decline, she always remained loving, gentle, and cheerful. Her death was a sudden one, which reminds us of how very fragile life can be, and ever changing- like clouds as you watch. A lesson can be drawn from Grazina‘s life that acts of kindness, compassion, and concern can be repaid many times over. Not only is it the right way to live, it is also in your own self interest, and what God expects from us.
Funeral mass will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at St. Casimir Parish, 18022 Neff Road (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery.
If unable to attend the funeral, the readings during mass for prayer and contemplation are: Wisdom 3:1-9, Revelation 21: 1-7. Matthew 5:1-12
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lithuanian American Citizens Club, 877 E 185th St, Cleveland, OH 44119.
"No minute gone comes back ever again Take heed and see ye nothing do in vain"
Rest in peace, Grazina! You will always be alive in our memory with your sincerity and kindness.