Sister Grace Licavoli

Life Story & Obituary

August 26, 1934 – November 27, 2003

At the time of her silver jubilee (1980) Sister Grace wrote: “Most meaningful in my Dominican vocation is the realization that I have been called to live a deeper prayer life surrounded by the love and support of friends. And as I grow older, I pray and hope that the virtues of integrity, gentleness, joy and peace will be further developed in my life and become my particular charism.”

Grace she was named and graceful and gracious she was. Grace Mary Ann Licavoli was the youngest of 11 children born to James and Anna Scola Licavoli, who had immigrated to America from Palermo, Italy. James became a well-known fruit vendor who drove his horse-drawn cart through the streets of Saginaw. The Licavoli’s were a close-knit Old World family. Grace was born on August 26, 1934. As a child she kept busy with chores at home, helping her mother with cooking, cleaning, and washing.

After kindergarten and grade one at a public school, she finished grade school at Mt. Carmel, where she met the Grand Rapids Dominicans. She shared the deep respect that her older brothers and sisters had for them. She admired their “kindness, firmness, holiness and good teaching abilities.” She loved to help the Sisters in the sacristy and sing in the choir.

Grace’s teachers at St. Andrew’s High School were Sisters of Mercy, but her first impressions of the Dominicans were lasting and after graduating in June 1953 she entered the Congregation at Marywood in September. At reception she took the name of Sister Mary Gemma of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, by which she was known until after Vatican II. While in formation she entered nurse’s training at Mercy Central School of Nursing and received her R.N. in 1958.

Sister Grace was missioned as a nurse in the Southwest for 16 years at Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, NM and El Centro, and Brawley, CA. She enjoyed traveling and seeing many highlights of the Southwest. She sang in choirs, did some solo singing, and sang to cheer up discouraged patients. When the San Diego Symphony came to El Centro she sang with the choir.

In 1975 Sister Grace was assigned to the nursing staff at Aquinata Hall for six years. During this time she completed her studies for a B.A. in General Education from Aquinas College. Then for two years she served as charge nurse at Sherbrooke Nursing Home in Grand Rapids. In 1983 she went to Mt. St. Joseph College in Ohio on a sabbatical year to discern a possible change in ministry. The outcome of the discernment was that she became a pastoral minister at St. John Vianney Parish, Wyoming, Michigan.

In her new ministry Sister Grace was energized as she took on the responsibilities of sacristan and came in contact with the old and the young. She worked closely with parents in sacramental preparation for children. Becoming sacristan, she gathered and trained lay assistants. She loved older people, acted as a spokesperson for them, and enjoyed visiting the sick. She worked on the parish census, joined the Stephen Ministry and sang in the choir.

At the time of her silver jubilee (1980) Sister Grace wrote: “Most meaningful in my Dominican vocation is the realization that I have been called to live a deeper prayer life surrounded by the love and support of friends. And as I grow older, I pray and hope that the virtues of integrity, gentleness, joy and peace will be further developed in my life and become my particular charism.”

Grace loved the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Guiseppi (Joseph). The Beatitudes were her favorite scripture passage. She was a friend to everyone and remembered every service done to her with a thank-you note or a gift of home baking. Her interests included singing, opera, reading, and Italian food. Both as a nurse and as a pastoral minister she was conscientious, self-giving, and well-organized.

In June 2002 a tumor on her brain stem was discovered. While she was receiving radiation treatments she remained at St. John Vianney’s and directed the sacristy work. In November, after celebrating a favorable diagnosis, she suffered a relapse and was taken to the hospital. In the sacristy she left detailed instructions on all the activities she was responsible for and all the purchases to be made, including palms and Easter candle. From the hospital she was taken to Porter Hills Health Care Services and later to Aquinata Hall.

In April 2003 Grace sent an Easter greeting to her friends at St. John Vianney, thanking them for their prayers, cards, and personal assistance. “Jesus slowly reveals His will in our lives. I have waited and hoped for improved health and return to St. John Vianney, but now I must tell you that Jesus’ gentle message to me is that I will not return to the Parish. I am at peace with this message and will continue to serve God’s will in my Religious Community at Aquinata Hall.”

In this final transition Sister Grace was helped by Sister Nancy Malburg, her last companion at St. John Vianney. Sister Grace has now reaped the benefits of being a faithful friend and a graced blessing to all of us through the years. We praise God for our Grace!

Grace she was named and graceful and gracious she was. Grace Mary Ann Licavoli was the youngest of 11 children born to James and Anna Scola Licavoli, who had immigrated to America from Palermo, Italy. James became a well-known fruit vendor who drove his horse-drawn cart through the streets of Saginaw. The Licavoli’s were a close-knit Old World family. Grace was born on August 26, 1934. As a child she kept busy with chores at home, helping her mother with cooking, cleaning, and washing.

After kindergarten and grade one at a public school, she finished grade school at Mt. Carmel, where she met the Grand Rapids Dominicans. She shared the deep respect that her older brothers and sisters had for them. She admired their “kindness, firmness, holiness and good teaching abilities.” She loved to help the Sisters in the sacristy and sing in the choir.

Grace’s teachers at St. Andrew’s High School were Sisters of Mercy, but her first impressions of the Dominicans were lasting and after graduating in June 1953 she entered the Congregation at Marywood in September. At reception she took the name of Sister Mary Gemma of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, by which she was known until after Vatican II. While in formation she entered nurse’s training at Mercy Central School of Nursing and received her R.N. in 1958.

Sister Grace was missioned as a nurse in the Southwest for 16 years at Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, NM and El Centro, and Brawley, CA. She enjoyed traveling and seeing many highlights of the Southwest. She sang in choirs, did some solo singing, and sang to cheer up discouraged patients. When the San Diego Symphony came to El Centro she sang with the choir.

In 1975 Sister Grace was assigned to the nursing staff at Aquinata Hall for six years. During this time she completed her studies for a B.A. in General Education from Aquinas College. Then for two years she served as charge nurse at Sherbrooke Nursing Home in Grand Rapids. In 1983 she went to Mt. St. Joseph College in Ohio on a sabbatical year to discern a possible change in ministry. The outcome of the discernment was that she became a pastoral minister at St. John Vianney Parish, Wyoming, Michigan.

In her new ministry Sister Grace was energized as she took on the responsibilities of sacristan and came in contact with the old and the young. She worked closely with parents in sacramental preparation for children. Becoming sacristan, she gathered and trained lay assistants. She loved older people, acted as a spokesperson for them, and enjoyed visiting the sick. She worked on the parish census, joined the Stephen Ministry and sang in the choir.

Grace loved the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Guiseppi (Joseph). The Beatitudes were her favorite scripture passage. She was a friend to everyone and remembered every service done to her with a thank-you note or a gift of home baking. Her interests included singing, opera, reading, and Italian food. Both as a nurse and as a pastoral minister she was conscientious, self-giving, and well-organized.

In June 2002 a tumor on her brain stem was discovered. While she was receiving radiation treatments she remained at St. John Vianney’s and directed the sacristy work. In November, after celebrating a favorable diagnosis, she suffered a relapse and was taken to the hospital. In the sacristy she left detailed instructions on all the activities she was responsible for and all the purchases to be made, including palms and Easter candle. From the hospital she was taken to Porter Hills Health Care Services and later to Aquinata Hall.

In April 2003 Grace sent an Easter greeting to her friends at St. John Vianney, thanking them for their prayers, cards, and personal assistance. “Jesus slowly reveals His will in our lives. I have waited and hoped for improved health and return to St. John Vianney, but now I must tell you that Jesus’ gentle message to me is that I will not return to the Parish. I am at peace with this message and will continue to serve God’s will in my Religious Community at Aquinata Hall.”

In this final transition Sister Grace was helped by Sister Nancy Malburg, her last companion at St. John Vianney. Sister Grace has now reaped the benefits of being a faithful friend and a graced blessing to all of us through the years. We praise God for our Grace!

Sister Grace is survived by her sisters: Rose Grillo; Lena Licavoli; Emma Stabek; Elizabeth Licavoli of Saginaw, MI; and her brothers: Sam and Dominic (Emma) of Saginaw; cousins; nieces, nephews, many friends and a loving Community.