Obituary of Elizabeth Junke

With heavy hearts our family announces the passing of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt, Elizabeth (Betty) Junke, on September 25, 2024.  She was born May 5, 1930, in Lockport, and was the daughter of Pasquale (Patsy) and Antoinette (Lena) (Galbo) Grossi.  Along with her parents she was predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Robert Junke, brothers Dominick Grossi and Peter Grossi, and sisters Rose (Grossi) Scirto, and Mary (Grossi) Dellaccio.

Betty lived nearly all of her life in Lockport. Throughout her teen years and early adult life, she worked at the family's business, Grossi's Restaurant, on West Avenue in Lockport's West End. There she met her husband Bob while he served in the US Air Force. Because Bob later became a project manager with Bell Aerospace, in the 1960's Betty and Bob packed up the family and moved to various places around the country where Bob had been assigned. It was a wonderful time for the young family. In 1970 Betty began her volunteer work at Lockport Memorial Hospital's Gift Shop, which she loved dearly. She went on to manage the Gift Shop from 1995 through 2021, at which time she retired. She also served on the Hospital's Guild. Betty was a member of St. John the Baptist RC Church.

She is survived by her sister Patrina Mussel of Lockport, brother Pat Grossi (Phyllis) of Dade City, FL, and children Bob Junke of Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Richard Junke (Suzanne Mulvey) of Lockport, and Donna Junke of Lockport. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brian, Caroline, Christopher, Erin, Gabrielle, Justin, Kelly, Maureen, Melissa, Nicholas, Patrick, and, Travis, along with numerous nieces and nephews and great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends may call Monday, September 30^th from 3-7 PM at Prudden And Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, October 1^st at 10 AM in St. John the Baptist RC Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport.  Interment will be in Cold Springs Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations to Sister Helen’s Food Pantry would be appreciated by the family.  Visit pruddenandkandt.com.