Obituary of Irene Grace

Irene Anna Grace, a woman devoted to family and faith, passed away on Thursday night, February 21, 2013, at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington. She was 89 years old. Irene was born in Providence, RI, the daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants, the late Augusto and Anna Lopes. She grew up in Providence and was a graduate of Hope High School. After graduation she worked in a number of jobs, including as an elevator operator, and then during World War II at Imperial Knife, where she helped manufacture bayonets for the troops. On July 12, 1952, she married Master Sergeant Manuel Grace of New Bedford, MA. She soon embraced the challenges of being a military wife. They had 5 sons and moved numerous times according to Manny’s assignments. They made their home in Fort Bragg, NC, Philadelphia, PA, Fort Devens, MA, Fort Wainwright, AK, Providence, RI, and finally settled in Burlington, MA in 1966. Military life was not easy and she often was left alone with her boys while Manny was off on deployment, which at times lasted as long as one year. Despite her small stature, she took command of her home and sons. Irene was an extremely warm and loving person who believed in extending herself to others. Her sons knew that they could bring anyone home and they would be graciously welcomed. Her warmth and kindness made visitors feel more like extended family than guests. Maybe it was her strong Catholic faith that guided her to impress upon her sons the importance of loving others unconditionally. She was an active member of St. Margaret’s Parish for nearly 47 years and attended Mass daily. Irene was also active within the community. She was a friendly face to all the students at Burlington High School where she worked in the cafeteria. It was also a good way to keep an eye on her sons as well. She was active supporter of the Burlington Citations Drum and Bugle Corp and heavily involved in the activities, events, and charities of the Burlington Knights of Columbus where Manny held numerous offices. She loved to play Bingo at the Knights of Columbus with her girlfriends. She was a member of the Burlington Senior Citizens Organization where she participated in the activities and exercised. She was often seen walking around town. She took many cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean and frequently traveled to California to spend time with her grandchildren. She was always happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. She lived modestly but loved immensely. Irene was the beloved wife of 60 years of Manuel F. Grace. She was the loving mother of Augusto “Augie” & his wife Janice of Burlington, Manuel “Manny” & his wife Karen “Casey” Caffee-Grace of Pasadena, CA, Martin of Burlington, Anthony & his wife Paula Hoyt of Westford, and John of Los Angeles, CA. Mother-in-law of Janice Grace of Chelmsford. She was predeceased by her sisters; Inez Lopes and Grace Soares. She was the proud grandmother of Carson of Westford and Nicholas, Alexander, and Zoe all of CA. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral from the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Road (Cor. of Pleasant St.), Woburn on Tuesday, February 26 at 11 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at Noon. Visiting hours Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Irene’s name may be made to the Knights of Columbus Exceptional Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 25, Burlington, MA 01803. A Legacy of Love On behalf of my father, my brothers, and our entire family, I thank you all for joining us today in celebration of the life of an amazing woman. The bond between a mother and a son is as strong as it is unspoken. Irene Grace made us who we are and shaped how we see the world, and how the world sees us. We all recognize that she was the kindest, most loving and generous spirit this world has ever known, and that which is best in me and my brothers, and our children – we owe to her. Yes, we are all heartbroken today, but we should be rejoicing and thanking God for the extraordinary gift he gave us. That is because on December 21, 1923, Jesus hand-selected from his legion of angels one of His most special creations, giving her the mission to spread His lessons of love to the world. . And this little angel took her job very seriously; spending 89 years spreading her unconditional love to everyone she touched. Anyone who ever walked through the door at 13 Skilton Lane knows what I am talking about, because once you crossed her threshold, you became one of her own. You were instantly part of her extended family and she showered you with a mother’s love. Her family stretches across this nation and around the world. Today, some of my mothers “children” include senators and congressmen; judges and lawyers; professors, principals, and teachers; doctors, police officers, firefighters…. You name it; they all called Irene Grace “Mom.” And as soon as you were in her home, you were escorted to her table where she began to feed you. And don’t tell her you’re not hungry, because she was going to feed you anyway. Food was one way that she shared her love, and you better have an appetite because, just like with her five boys, you weren’t leaving that table until you cleaned your plate. And when you were done eating, you had to sit on the couch next to her and tell her everything that was going on in your life. And believe me, no subject was off the table. She opened her heart and her home to so many, especially those who had no place to go during holidays or other occasions. My mother loved to dance. Whether she was with her childhood friends Pat, Hilda, and Evelyn in Providence, or later in life with Dot, Pat, and Helen at the Knights of Columbus, my mother wanted to be on the dance floor. My father, on the other hand, preferred to sit it out. Because she had such a large, extended family, she wasn’t always so great with names. But don’t be offended because she often got the names of her five boys wrong. If she was angry with one of us, she’d start at the top of the list and work her way down — “Augie, I mean Manny, I mean Martin, I mean Anthony.” Unfortunately, if John was the one in trouble, it took her forever to get to his name because he is the youngest. To solve this problem, my mother would usually call you “Dear” or “Darling.” That way, she was sure to get your name right every time. Perhaps the most important thing my mother expected of all her children was that you had to make her proud. I guess that was the dues you paid for the privilege of calling Irene Grace “Mom.” It didn’t matter what you did with your life or your career, just as long as you conducted yourself in a manner that would always make her proud of you. My father always called my mother “Sapphire.” I am not sure how he came up with that name, but I liked it because her smile and eyes sparkled with a radiance and beauty that was priceless. Her spirit filled any room she was in, and her light shone brighter than a truckload of sapphires. She was the light of our lives, and much like the brightest sun, she was the center of our universe. My mother lived a life of sacrifice. She was a member of a generation that gave so much and asked so little in return. Typically when we think about the Greatest Generation, we focus our attention on the brave young boys, sons, fathers, uncles, brothers and husbands who went off to strange lands to fight tyranny and oppression. But let’s not overlook all of the brave mothers and wives who fought the good fight right here, supporting their military husbands, raising their children, and keeping the home fires burning. This five-foot-two-inch woman did all of that and more. She made real sacrifices for her country and her family. This little girl from little Rhode Island packed and unpacked her life several times, and went off to strange lands like Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Fairbank Alaska, and seemingly every base in between. My mother didn’t like to drive because it always made her nervous. She would rather walk, which is why you could often find her walking everywhere around town. But Army wives are required to adapt and make sacrifices. When we were in Alaska she had to learn to drive and get her license so she could cart her family around when my father was away on field maneuvers for weeks at a time. And when my father was on his last tour of Korea, she drove our huge station wagon all around Providence with five rambunctious boys. And for the joyous reunion when my father returned from Korea, my mother hugged and kissed him, and dropped the car keys in his hands, telling him that she would never drive again – and she never did. She was truly an angel sent from God to teach the world to love one another, and I am convinced of that for a number of reasons. She only had the capacity for love. She loved everyone and wanted us to love everyone as Jesus loves us. She couldn’t even comprehend the idea of hate, or discrimination, or prejudice. She didn’t even like the word “Hate,” and she forbid us from even using the word. She would tell us, “Don’t say you ‘hate’ something. Please say that you “dislike” it.” And even though she sent her husband off to protect our country, she couldn’t understand war, or fighting, or why people were moved to hurt another of God’s creatures. She simply could not comprehend it. She wasn’t wired to understand it. In her eyes, love was always stronger than hatred. Now it is time for this little angel to return to God. And I know when Jesus greets her at the gates of heaven, He will meet her with arms outstretched. He will take her in His arms, and looking into those big beautiful eyes of hers, He will say, “Job well done, my good and faithful servant.” Thank you Mom for all you taught us. We promise to carry on your “Legacy of Love” for our children and our children’s children, so that one day this world will know peace with no war, compassion with no cruelty, and love with no hate. Until that time we say, good night Irene, good night.