Kathie Ann Grenek
February 11, 1948 – August 16, 2026
Kathie Ann Grenek (née Rockefeller), 78, of Fairport, died on August 16, 2026, surrounded by the family she spent her life building.
Born in Rochester to John Rockefeller and Arline (Hoesterey) Rockefeller, Kathie’s early years were shaped by loss and hardship that asked more of a child than any child should be asked. She did not carry it as a grievance. She carried it as a resolve: that no one in her family would ever know that kind of childhood. She kept that promise for fifty-six years.
On November 22, 1969, she married Eugene “Gene” Grenek at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, the first couple to be wed in the parish. She converted from Catholicism to Orthodoxy when they married and remained a devoted member of the congregation for the rest of her life.
Kathie began her career at Kodak straight out of high school, later served as a secretary in the Fairport Central School District, and spent years as a Financial Aid clerk at Monroe Community College, where she helped thousands of students find their way to an education. She quietly did the same at home, working so that her children and, in time, her grandchildren could each attend and graduate from Ivy League institutions.
She was, above all, kind. Friends described her as selfless, generous, and caring. One who learned of her passing called her simply one of the loveliest human beings she had ever met. She loved Motown, Linda Castillo novels, and the telephone, keeping up with a vast circle of friends and their children with genuine interest and no agenda whatsoever. A call was often followed by a text to one of her children — “Guess who I talked to today?” — and then a long, patient wait while they worked their way through the possibilities. What came next was a full report: who had bought a house, whose child got into which college, who had changed jobs, where the family had gone on vacation. Her children came to rely on her as the keeper of the news, and were regularly, happily outpaced by her on the subject of their own friends.
More than anything, she was her family’s biggest fan, and the bedrock beneath every success they had. She washed countless loads of grass-stained laundry so her husband, Gene, could referee college football. She traveled to watch her son Gino dance professionally, on Broadway and on stages around the world, and never once got over the wonder of it. When her daughter Heidi opened an ice cream shop, Kathie could be found behind the scenes making ice cream, washing dishes, and picking up deliveries, and out front as the beloved “grandma in residence” to staff and guests alike. She loved her grandsons, Harrison and Bentley, to the depth of her soul, cheering them on through countless Little League games and bowling tournaments, and on to their college graduations. In one of her last great joys, she helped each of them establish a retirement account. “I want them to have the leg up in life that I never had,” she said. What her family accomplished mattered to her far less than helping them get there. As Bentley put it: “She was unparalleled as a grandma. No one has ever had a better one.”
In recent weeks she discovered the “Find My” app on her iPhone, and took to it with delight. Texts would come in: “What are you doing in Canandaigua?” “Looks like you’re still in Washington. I hope you don’t run into the nasty storms we’ve had.” “You’re back at work. You made good time.” ”I feel like I’m on the journey with you,” she said. That was true long before the app told her so.
Her capacity to love was without bounds, and she was greatly loved in return. Just as she lived in life, she spent her final hours not concerned for herself, but for the well-being of her family and friends.
Kathie is survived by her devoted husband, Eugene; her daughter Heidi and son-in-law Harry; her son Gino and son-in-law Steven; her grandsons, Harrison and Bentley; and by her beloved extended family, chief among them her sister-in-law Cil Grenek and her cousins MaryAnn Douglas and Bob Hoesterey, whom she loved as a sister and a brother.
A graveside Panikhida and funeral service will be held Friday, August 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Fairport, New York.
Kathie showed strength and grace throughout her battle with cancer, and was clear that she wanted her memory to do some good. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In her words: “No child should have to go through what I’ve had to go through the last few years.”
May her memory be eternal.
11 responses to “Grenek, Kathie Ann”
I felt like I knew much about Kathie from beloved stories her cousin (“sister”) Maryann Douglas shared with me. She sounded like an amazing person. May she rest in peace after her long enough suffering from this unforgiving disease as she fought the good fight. In deep sympathy for her children and husband Gene. John Passantino.
You look just like her Heidi – and she must have been so proud of you. What an amazing lady, and what a tragic loss. Loss of a parent leaves a terrible hole to fill, but I know you carry her legacy well. Our condolences to you and your family
Brad & Roxanne
Our hearts and prayers are with all of you @ this time. I am both thankful and fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Kathie for the majority of my life. Our families were lifelong friends who bonded thru music, travel, and everything in between. She was most proud of her greatest accomplishment her family.🙏❤️
There are some people who come into your life and become family, and she was certainly one of those people to me. She was not only like a grandmother to me, but truly the grandmother of Moonlight Creamery. We shared so many wonderful memories and happy times that I will cherish forever. I’m going to miss her amazing personality, her warmth, and, of course, that wonderful spicy side of hers. The world feels a little dimmer without her in it. My heart and deepest condolences go out to her family and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. The loss is truly great. ❤️🩹
Knew Kathie Ann and Gene for 30 years before moving from Rochester. We belonged to the same church and watched our children grow up. There are no words that would describe Kathie. She was one in a million. We had a sausage/ hot dog/ and hamburger stand and Kathie was our best worker. Always up-beat and fun to be around. Really loved her like a sister. She is now in Heaven with our Lord.
Dear Gene and Family. We were so saddened to hear of Kathie’s passing. She and Gene were the OG’s of Lisand Drive and they have been missed since their move just a few years ago. We spoke often where she shared her wisdom about having children in the arts, having an ice cream business and the endless raking of leaves that plagued us year after year. Our deepest sympathies go out to Gene and her family for which she was so proud of. May her memory be a comfort and a blessing.
Patricia and Walter Monaco
Dear Gene, Heidi,, and family, Sending love and prayers to you in this great loss. Yes, Kathie was one of the most delightful and kind persons I’ve ever met. Our brief Moonlight visits grew a deep friendship that continued on FB for years. May her warm and wonderful memories remain in your hearts forever.
Heidi, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She sounds like an amazing woman that raised a beautiful family. We are never old enough to lose our parents but she lives on in each of you.
We have been fortunate having Kathie and Gene as neighbors. We will always remember the many conversations we have had with Kathie and always remember the good times we shared.
Mr. Grenek, Heidi, Geno and family-The Talbots are so sorry for the loss of Kathie. Growing up on Lisand Drive Kathie was best friends with our mom Betty and we have a lot of fond memories from our two familes. Kathy would pop down to the house often for coffee and chat with our mom for hours. The Talbot boys hung out a lot at the Greneks. Whether it was playing in the awesome play house that Gene built or playing neighborhood games we have many great chiildhood memories. I remember Gene and Kathie cooking on their outside grill. And their pool which was always about 20 degrees in the dead of summer.
As we went off the college and became adults I remember several times stopping down to the Greneks and having a beer or two on their porch (Iron City). Kathie was so proud of what Heidi and Geno accomplished in their lives. She was constantly updating us on all of the things you were doing–in New York City dancing or Heidi’s Cornell and work accomplishments (including Moonlight Creamery).
I forgot but only a year ago your mom and I were chatting back and forth on Facebook about all the health problems. I also ran into her at Tops one day.
Thoughts and Prayers to you guys. We loved Kathie and I’m sure Kathie and mom are chatting away in heaven. Love you guys.
Gene and family,
My deepest condolences and prayers for you. It has been many years since Gene and I shared a college football field but i have many fond memories of Kathie and you. God bless you in your time of sorrow.
Dennis Blythe