Irene Gracey

Irene Eva Gracey, nee Krywy, formerly of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, passed away on June 17, 2023, at the age of 91. The only daughter of Andrew and Paraskewia Krywy, Irene was born in Detroit in 1931, shortly after her parents had fled the Ukrainian famine (Holodomor), forced upon them by Stalin's Russia. She graduated high school from St. Mary’s Academy in Monroe, Michigan and went on to attend both the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, where she met the love of her life, Paul Clement Gracey. They wed in 1955 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage in Grosse Pointe. Although she was an only child, Irene gave birth to 5 boys and 4 girls. When asked how she managed to have 9 kids, she simply stated “one at a time.”

Irene was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. Beyond tirelessly shuttling kids to school, hockey, swimming, baseball and tennis practices as well as being involved in Stockettes, she found time to volunteer throughout her busy life. She served as President of St. Mary’s Academy Alumni Association, President of the National Lawyers' Wives and President of the Lawyers' Wives of Michigan (later renamed the Lawyers' Auxiliary), President of St. Paul on the Lake Altar Society and President of Austin Prep School’s Mothers Club, constantly helping those in need. She was a parishioner at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church for over 40 years, sang in the church choir for many of those years and became a Daily Communicant.

Irene was a member of the Theater Arts Club, Women's Theater, and The Fine Arts Society of Detroit, performing in many stage productions throughout her life as well as being a print model. She loved to sing and dance and was an avid tennis player, skier and bridge player. She was also a member of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club (where she organized and ran the annual Fashion Show for charity) and life-long conservative (never shy to share her opinion).

For more than 40 years, she shared her home with at least one of her many children. During this time, "Mum" became renowned for her colloquialisms. Favorites include: “the maid is on vacation”; “the good Lord only gave me two hands”; “slow down, there’s John Law”; “this is not a restaurant”; and, the most oft-repeated and words to live by: “You’ve got it! Now use it!”

Irene was predeceased by her parents, husband Paul and grandson Jack. She is survived by her 9 children: Barbara Gracey (Norm Pashoian), Vicky Gracey (Chris Ryan), Paul Gracey Jr. (Colleen), Elizabeth Roskam (Peter), Andrew Gracey (Michelle), Kathryn Gracey (Plamen Petkov), Taras Gracey (Therese), Peter Gracey (Elizabeth), David Gracey (Allison), 21 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

There will be a wake on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at the Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, Illinois.

There will be a church visitation from 9:30-10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 7 at St. Paul on the Lake, 157 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.

Irene will be buried next to her husband at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1983 St. Mary’s Gate (Walkerville), Windsor, Ontario, Canada following the funeral mass.