Virginia "Ginny" Grace

We deeply mourn the loss of our cherished friend, sister, aunt, colleague and teacher. Throughout her life, Ginny was a devoted educator who went beyond teaching the ABCs and worked to instill in her students a sense of self-worth and hope. As a friend and family member, she did the same for us. Ginny attended Harris-Stowe Teachers’ College, receiving her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate. She later attended Webster College and earned an MA in Language Arts Instruction. She dedicated her life to teaching young children in parochial schools, the St. Louis Public Schools and a charter school. Her love for teaching was a deep and lifelong passion. She created and published educational materials, and worked tirelessly to help her students academically and personally. She worked beyond a standard retirement age because she knew she had more to give and her students had more to learn. She often spoke of her teaching experiences, relaying heartwarming stories about her colleagues and the funny and interesting things her students said or did in her classes. Ginny enriched the lives of her students and peers. She was an example to them and to all of us who were fortunate enough to call her friend, sister, wife and aunt.

Ginny rarely met a stranger. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was quick to forgive, to laugh, and to point out the good in life and people. Life was not always easy for Ginny, but with her spirit and optimistic nature, she pushed forward with positivity. Simply said, she embraced life in a way that few do. Ginny deeply loved her many friends and family, a group of people of all ages, backgrounds, and varying life experiences. She also loved St. Louis, a city that brought her the joy of many friendships, rich cultural experiences and simple pleasures ranging from neighborhood restaurants to historical architecture to a beautiful spring or fall day.

One of her most rewarding experiences was being married to her beloved husband, Paul Grace. Like Ginny, Paul had a unique zest for life, a keen understanding of his fellow man and a kindness that anyone could recognize instantly. Together, Ginny and Paul built a life filled with friendship and family that all of us will not only remember them for, but a life we can learn from, and a life we should strive to emulate.

As a member of the Catholic faith, Ginny expressed her spirituality and belief in a good and benevolent God. She also expressed her faith in the way she lived her life and treated others. She enjoyed attending mass at St. Francis Xavier and being a part of their faith community.

Ginny is preceded in death by her mother Katherine O’Connor Bowers, her father Thomas Bowers, her husband Paul Grace, her sister Mary Ann Hickey and her brother-in-law Robert Hickey. She is survived by her brother James Patrick Bowers, her sister-in-law Inhae Bowers, her nephews Curtis Hickey, Kevin Hickey, Christopher Bowers and Gregory Bowers, and her nieces Stacie Hunter and Angela McQuien. She is also survived by many, many lifelong and dear friends with whom she shared countless adventures, meals, laughter, tears, triumphs and trials. She will be forever missed and forever in our hearts and our memories.

A memorial service to honor her memory, her rich life and her many contributions will be held on Saturday the 9th of March 2024 at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street at Watson at 3 pm. Plans for a memorial mass at St. Francis Xavier have not been finalized. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Food Outreach in St. Louis. Their website is www.foodoutreach.org.

There will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, March 16th, 11:00 am at St. Francis Xavier College Church, 3628 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Inurnment to follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 7030 Gravois Ave.