Grace Mary Whittaker, SCN, 85, a native of Bradford, Massachusetts, died November 29, 2020, at the SCN Motherhouse, Nazareth, Kentucky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 62 years.
After graduating high school in Boston, Massachusetts, Sister Grace Mary entered the novitiate in 1955. Among her early ministries in Kentucky, Sister Grace Mary served at the Infants’ Home in Louisville beginning in 1958; taught first and second grade 1959-1961 at St. Pius X in Calvert City; and served in the library at St. Vincent 1961-1963. She was a nurse’s assistant at the Motherhouse Infirmary 1963-1966 and 1970-1972; ministered in the Medical Records Department at Our Lady of Peace Hospital, Louisville, 1966-1967; and served at Nazareth College 1967-1970.
From 1972-1991, Sister Grace Mary served at the front desk of the Motherhouse where she greeted guests and operated the switchboard; she served again in this capacity from 1992-2002. Among her other many ministries, hospitality at the Guest House, helping in the SCN Ceramics Shop and the Thrift Shop, volunteering at St. Joe’s Montessori, and at the Visitor Center, as well as serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Sister Grace Mary helped with SCN mission trips to Appalachia and New Orleans, Louisiana. Sister Grace attended Nun Build three times, joining women religious from across the country in helping to rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
She is survived by her sisters, Ann Whittaker, SCN, and Clare; and brothers John and James; nieces and nephews, and by her religious community.
In light of the pandemic, a Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Sister Grace Mary will be buried in the Nazareth Cemetery on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, at 1 p.m. The prayer ritual will be filmed and shared.
Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home, 1475 New Shepherdsville Road, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004. Memorials may be offered to the Office of Mission Advancement, P.O. Box 9, Nazareth, Kentucky, 40048.
miss you1
You said it ALL. Gracie was there took care of others before she fixed her
plate.
You said it ALL. Gracie was there took care of others before she fixed her
plate. and day when our paths
crossed you got a big hug and LOVE YOU !
You said it ALL. Gracie was there took care of others before she fixed her
plate. She and ANN were as different as night and day when our paths
crossed you got a big hug and LOVE YOU !
You said it ALL. Gracie was there took care of others before she fixed her
plate. She and ANN were as different as night and day whe our paths
crossed you got a big hug and IOVE YOU !
You said it ALL. Gracie was there took care of others before she fixed her
plate. She and ANN were as different as night and day whe our paths
crossed you got a big hug and IOVE YOU !
YOU
Sister Grace Mary – has been a long time friend since I was a semarian at Saint Mary Collage 1966-70… Although not seeing her in a long time – we communicated often with each other… Cannot believe that I just mailed her a Christmas Card yesterday – not know that she has gone on to God… Gracie was a warm, cheerful, sweet and endearing person… May she now pray for all of us from her new home. +blessings and Rest in Peace dear one.. Father Ron Sordillo – Chester, NJ
I will miss my dear sister, Grace. She was a kind and beautiful heart. One of the things I really loved about her was the way she loved the animals. She was like St. Francis. Miss you, Grace. Hope to see you in Heaven.
You said it ALL. Gracie was there took care of others before she fixed her
plate. She and ANN were as different as night and day whe our paths
crossed you got a big hug and IOVE YOU !
YOU
Gracie I have known you for 58 years and was so surprised to see your obituary. You were a sweet loving dear friend and I will miss you. Who know when we me at St. Vincent Academy we would remain life long friends. Rest in peace dear friend. My condolences to the Sisters of Charity and to sister’s family.
Gracie, you are surely enjoying God’s Beatific Vision and Presence! May the joy you radiated to others be yours. You were so special to all of us.