Doris Grzelak, Devoted to Family,
Was Westfield Public Schools Secretary
Doris (Baxter) Grzelak passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 24, 2025, after a six-year journey with vascular dementia. She shared 82 years of unconditional love, support, laughter, and wonderful memories with family and friends.
Doris was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., on January 13, 1943, the youngest of four. She attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grammar School and High School. After high school, she worked as a legal secretary for Allied Chemical in New York City while taking courses at Pace University. She soon reconnected with the brother of one of her childhood friends, Bernard (Bernie) Grzelak. They married in 1970 and enjoyed 54 years of marriage.
Despite sometimes missing the sidewalks of Brooklyn, Doris loved living in Colonia, N.J., for 52 years. She was an active member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Colonia, where she was President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Rosary Society, and a part of the same prayer group for nearly 40 years. Doris was also active in her children’s schools, serving as PTO President of School 21 in Colonia and a member of the Mothers’ Clubs at Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, N.J., and Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison, N.J.
When her oldest son started high school, Doris began working for the Westfield Public Schools. She worked as a secretary in the Board Office for two years before spending 23 more years at Edison Intermediate School in Westfield, N.J., where she served first as Library Secretary and then later as Attendance Secretary. Edison students and staff loved hearing her heavy Brooklyn accent on the PA system as she called students down to the office. Doris was an amazing cook and an even better baker. Her marble cake, blueberry muffins, and butter cookies could have won a prize. Despite having the recipes, no one can make them quite like she did.
Doris had a heart of gold, the patience of a saint, and exuded heartfelt kindness. There was never a bad day in Doris’ world. She always counted her blessings and felt lucky for all that she had. Doris would always find the positive, encourage others, and never complained. She often said, “No one wants to hear a complainer.” She was a great conversationalist. She could talk to anyone and was a great listener. She was invested in every conversation, cared deeply, and made sure to remember every detail. She loved and supported her family and always put everyone before herself. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. Her light shone upon all of us, and the world was brighter for her presence. We are all so grateful to have received her love and to love her. She will be deeply missed and forever treasured in our hearts.
Doris leaves only cherished memories with her husband of 54 years, Bernie; her son Bernard and his beloved wife, Kathleen Burke, of Austin, Tex.; her son Kevin of Cranford, N.J.; her son Paul of Colonia, N.J.; and her daughter, Doreen Rowan, and her devoted husband, James, of Westfield, N.J. She also leaves her treasured granddaughters, Bridget, Mary and Eileen; her sister-in-law, Madeleine Krajewski of Naugatuck, Conn.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Doris was predeceased by her parents, James and Marie (Ivers) Baxter; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bernard and Teresa (Kalinowski) Grzelak; her two sisters, Dorothy and Rosemary Baxter; her brother and sister-in-law, James and Maureen Baxter, and her brother-in-law, Richard Krajewski.
Visitation was held at Gosselin Funeral Home in Edison on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral Mass was offered at St. John Vianney Church in Colonia at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025.
May 1, 2025
