Therese Hrabowy 1927-2022

Due to war atrocities, the family was forced to flee the country and settled in Austria. Therese was never deterred and maintained her pure spirit. She never forgot her roots, community or heritage.

Therese was blest with academic aptitude and a curious mind. Loving education, she attended school in four different countries and studied five languages. Her courage and will propelled her to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. As many institutions were bombed out during the war, she emigrated to the United States solo in 1952, became a naturalized citizen and completed her U.S. bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

She stayed in the USA after marrying her husband Walter, in 1959 and had a supportive marriage for 60 years until his passing. They were often together, volunteered, loved travel, visiting family and friends and reading. Both had a strong bond around their ethnic heritage, love of family and maintaining a home. They were beloved and exceptionally generous and kind human beings.

Family was and remained the most important thing to Therese. She found great joy in being a parent and a grandparent, attending all functions and fully supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s goals and dreams. Her children had a strong head start by the many sacrifices made, the values instilled and the demonstration of self-determination, drive and resilience.

Therese maintained strong ties with family and friends around the world. Always a visionary and problem solver, Therese planned many family vacations and raised her children bilingually and biculturally so they could speak with relatives during their long summer visits in Europe and also understand the culture.

After raising her children, Therese pursued her career and was a strong role model, blending traditional and contemporary values. She was ahead of her time. Devoted, courageous, centered, independent thinking, ethical and very wise. Though modest and sweet, she was gutsy and outspoken when she needed to be. Throughout her lifetime, she advocated for herself and others less fortunate. She was all of the following things before they were popularized: an environmentalist, feminist, ecologist, animal rights activist, anti-bullying advocate for students and a safe haven for victims of violence. She entered the field of teaching in 1971 and taught for 45 years while inspiring her students, hosting German club outings and European trips. This dynamo retired from teaching shy of her 90th birthday to care for her husband who was rehabbing from a broken hip.

Therese continued her vibrancy throughout most of her life with interests in genealogy (tracing her family history back 500 years before the internet), cultural anthropology, history, medical research, kaffeeklatsches and professional association lunches. At 92 she was living alone and driving herself to chair yoga, medical appointments and volunteer work at the soup kitchen. Even though petite and diminutive in stature, she commanded life. The staff at her assisted living facility, where she resided the last 18 months of her life, considered her the gatekeeper. Even at 94, she was inquiring about getting a part-time job due to “boredom and being around old people.”

A classy lady, Therese lived with honor and dignity in all things and embodied her Catholic values. She was an extraordinary human being who lived an exemplary life and realized her American dream of education, community, faith, service, maintaining lifelong friendships and a satisfying marriage, being a homemaker and raising a family, enjoying grandchildren, travel, economic stability, a career in teaching, intellectual stimulation and maintaining her ethnic heritage… a long life well lived.

She had no fear of death and was reunited with her beloved husband Walter who passed in 2019.

She was predeceased by her parents; her beloved sister, Liese; and brother, Franz; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; son-in-law, Mike; nephew, Billy; and dear friends, Brigitte Orban and Mary Lee Krauss.

Left to mourn and celebrate her life are daughter, Dr. Ingeborg Hrabowy; son, Dr. Erik Hrabowy (Monica); and granddaughters, Dr. Kristin and Suzanne Hrabowy (Jordan); as well as many cherished family and friends.

A private memorial service was held at her home church St. Marys.

To honor Therese’s life, consider organ donation, follow her wise teachings or live your American dream.

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