Obituary of Grace J. Opiela

Grace J. Opiela, age 89, of Lafayette Hill, PA passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025.  She was the wife of the late Stephen J. Opiela, Jr.

She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 29, 1935, the daughter of the late Julius L. and Mary (Kelly) Renner. 

Grace has lived in Whitemarsh Twp. since 1979, formerly of the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, where she was born and raised.   She was a parishioner of St. Matthew's RC Church of Conshohocken and a former member of St. John the Baptist RC Church and Holy Family RC Church, both in Manayunk. 

Grace worked at ShopRite in Roxborough and also ShopNBag in Whitemarsh as a cashier for many years before retiring.  She enjoyed traveling with her husband, who worked for TWA for 35 years, although she never actually loved the flying part.  They visited many beautiful countries and cities.  Grace and Steve especially enjoyed their travels to Rehoboth Beach DE, where they had a home from 1999 to 2009.  Grace was an avid gardener and wonderful cook and baker.   Most especially, she loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She positively lit up when they visited.  They were the loves of her life!   

She is survived by three daughters, Eileen Ambler (the late Mark) of West Conshohocken, PA, Diane Lockard (William, Jr.) of Fort Washington, PA, and Denise Opiela (John Collevechio) of Worcester, PA; and a son, Stephen J. Opiela, III (Heather) of Stevens, PA; eight grandchildren, Brian, Ellen, Jaclyn, William III, Lisa, Michael, Emily and Stephen IV; and ten great grandchildren, Michael, Courtney, William IV, Nathan, Henry, Julia, Sophia, Ella, Anne and Grace.

Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Thomas Renner and James Renner; two sisters, Mary Ebersole and Teresa Kelly; and grandson, Mark Ambler Jr. 

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Matthew's RC Church, 219 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428.  Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Saturday from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM at the Church.

Interment will take place in St. Matthew's Cemetery, Conshohocken, PA. 

Memorial donations can be made to CNC Colonial Neighborhood Council, 107 East 4th Ave, Conshohocken, PA 19428.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, (610) 828-0330
www.msrfh.com