Elizabeth "Liz" (Backiel) Grabowski

Elizabeth “Liz” M. Grabowski, 84, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024, with loved ones at her side.

She was born in Laskowiec, Poland on July 24, 1940, to Marianna and Stanisław Backiel.  In 1948, she moved to Maspeth, New York with her family. She then graduated from Bishop McDonnell High School in 1958 and soon after married her childhood friend and sweetheart, who preceded her in death, John A. Grabowski. They were married in Japan during John’s time in the U.S. Army in 1959 and were married for 61 years.

In the early 1970s, after having four children and moving the family from New York, Liz began her life’s dream and work attending nursing school at Memphis State University. It was in Memphis that she was introduced to the challenges regarding the treatment of diabetes.  The late 1970s brought about a move to the Chicagoland area, where she returned to school earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Elmhurst College in Illinois. After moving to Crestwood, Kentucky in 1982, she was later invited to attend an Advanced Course in Diabetes at Washington University in St. Louis, completing her certification in 1984. Four years later she earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisville, becoming a certified Clinical Nurse Specialist with a concentration in the treatment of diabetes.  Liz was the first Advanced Practice Nurse in private practice, paving the way for all future Nurse Practitioners in the state of Kentucky. She was also a member of Kentucky’s Board Certification, Advanced Diabetes Management inaugural class. She maintained her practice in St. Matthews, Kentucky for over 35 years to retirement. Liz served the Kentucky Nurses Association as President-elect & President from 1996-1998. She also maintained membership in Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and was also a Kentucky Colonel. Other community organizations benefitting from her leadership include, but not limited to: Oldham County Chapter American Red Cross, Business Professional Women, American Diabetes Association, and numerous guest faculty invitations from various universities. She was instrumental in the creation of fundraising events for diabetes around the Kentucky Derby, later becoming the grand gala it is now. Liz was also active in, both, the Girl Scouts of America and Boy Scouts of America when her children were scouts.

Wife, mother, and Babci (grandmother) were her favorite titles. Her children loved her and her grandchildren enjoyed her quick wit and sense of humor. She was a caring and strong role model for her children and grandchildren.

Liz leaves behind her four children and their spouses; Elizabeth Clare Taylor, Julia Marie Smith (Scott), John Adelbert Grabowski, II (Suzana) of Houston, Texas, and Emilia “Angie” Arlene Felty (George); and three grandchildren; Alexis Jeanne Taylor, MaryAnn Victoria Smith Green (Joseph) and Jessica Alexandra Smith. She also leaves behind her sister, Emily Tannacore and numerous adoring nieces and nephews as well as her former patients.

Visitation will be at Stoess Funeral Home in Crestwood, Kentucky on Thursday, August 29th from 4pm to 8pm, Friday, August 30th from 1pm to 6pm. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, August 31st at 11am at St. Aloysius Church in Pewee Valley. Interment is to follow in Floydsburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Mass of the Air, 1200 South Shelby Street, Louisville, KY 40203, American Diabetes Association and Breakthough T1D (formerly JDRF).

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