Obituary of Eloise A. Sawicki

Eloise Agnes Sawicki of Piscataway lost her battle with cancer on October 20, 2020 at home surrounded by her four children. Eloise was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 24, 1944 to Katherine and William Jocher. She spent her young life growing up with her two brothers, Bill and Frank (Butch) on Fleet Street in Jersey City, and continued there into her young adult years attending Saint Aloysius Academy. She went on to further her 17-year Catholic education at Georgian Court College (University) where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree. Her devotion to the Catholic faith, and love of the arts, culture and humanity was consistent throughout her entire life. Eloise was an active pillar of the community at Our Lady of Fatima Church. There she raised her four children, was a member of the Rosary Altar Society, volunteered as a religious education teacher, and served on numerous committees. In the early 1980s, she started a Blue Army Shrine Rosary Prayer Cell Group. For 20+ years, every Thursday, she would have a rosary devotional at her home. Some weeks, the group was as small as a handful of worshippers; other weeks, the table was crowded with 15-20 people. She and her children were also very active early on with the FISH program, which served surrounding communities by providing food and clothing in time of need. In 1993, she sent Christine, Ed, and Kate to Denver to the World Youth Day pilgrimage with Pope John Paul II. If ever you were fortunate enough to have a meal at the Sawicki household, you never left hungry or disappointed. The family home was built in 1790, and Eloise laughingly referred to her kitchen as being “scientific” (with literally 8 square feet of usable countertop). Despite this, countless family events with professional grade spreads were hosted over the decades. Even if Eloise was up until 4 am cooking or cleaning, no one was ever aware of the effort it took to make such memories happen. She would just descend the staircase into a house filling up with family and friends and greet everyone with her usual warmth and grace. Eloise’s unconditional, boundless love for her children, grandchildren, family, and friends was undeniable. Her nature was to always give of herself — or what she had — for those she loved, even if it meant personally going without. Motherhood and caring for others was as natural an instinct to Eloise as was smiling. Her love for her children was only surpassed by her love for her grandchildren, whom she showered with affection. She subscribed to the belief that little ones were “made to be spoiled” and her five were always welcome recipients of that. Throughout the years, her family also recalls Eloise adopting people as her own. She helped to care for them, usually without anyone really knowing the extent to which she ministered to those less fortunate or in need. She instilled in her children a passion for travel and culture, whether that be to Point Pleasant Beach or to Ireland, Paris, and beyond. After her husband, Ed Sr.’s, passing in 2012, she logged tens of thousands of miles on the road traveling with Ed Jr. doing antique shows across the country. No matter where she went, she was known for her warmth and inviting smile to all she met. She had an uncanny ability to notice the simplest beauty in chaos, ugliness or unrest. Despite seemingly boundless energy to give to anyone in need, her family never felt forgotten or slighted. Somehow, she was still able to find more love and attention to shower on her children and grandchildren. She was recently asked by an oncology nurse what her last employment was. She quickly responded, “Babysitter.” She was that and so much more. She was the matriarch, the backbone of the family. She was the stay-at-home mom that was ever-present to her family. She was the heart and soul of our home. She was and always will be “our sweet momma.” Eloise is predeceased by her parents, Katherine and William E. Jocher, her husband Edward J. Sawicki, and her brother William Jocher and his wife Peggy. She is survived by her children, Mary Elizabeth Sawicki; Christine Biskey; Edward Sawicki; and Kate Sawicki. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Mairead Biskey; Mitchell Biskey; Shane Biskey; Eliza Antonios; and Eliana Antonios. She is further survived by her brother, Frank Jocher and his wife Mary. He is also survived by two nephews, Michael and his girlfriend Kristina and John and his wife Betsy and a niece Christina and her husband Jason and their children grand nieces Alexa and Alana. A visitation will be held at on Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 12:00 - 6:00 pm at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung NJ. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 26, 2020 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Fatima in Piscataway, NJ. Entombment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Eloise’s memory to Our Lady of Fatima Parish Renovation Fund, 50 Van Winkle Place, Piscataway, NJ 08854.