Grace Marie Alexander
Grace Marie Alexander, age 86 of Wainwright, died Friday afternoon, Nov. 9, 2018, in her home, following a brief illness.
Born in the family home at Wainwright on May 20, 1932, Grace was one of three children born to the late Alexander and Edith Pissocra Bonvechio.
Grace attended the former Wainwright School and was a 1950 graduate of St. Mary’s School at Dennison. While working as a hostess in the former Bonvechio’s Restaurant, she met the love of her life, John R. “Bob” Alexander. The couple married on Sept. 2, 1957, and raised five children together. They shared in 53 years of marriage prior to his passing on Oct. 22, 2010.
Grace was a woman of deep faith and lived out her faith in God daily. She was an active member of the former St. Therese Catholic Church at Wainwright, where she was a member of the Altar Society. She later became a member of Immaculate Conception Church at Dennison. From a very young age, Grace used her talent as a vocalist and throughout her lifetime sang for hundreds of weddings and funerals.
Grace was a member of the Canasta Card Club for over 60 years, and while the group no longer plays cards, they certainly enjoy getting together and sharing stories.
For many years Grace traveled alongside her husband as they attended Marine Corps Reunions throughout the country. She was known for her cooking skills and enjoyed caring for not only her flower gardens, but also her vegetable garden.
Grace will be deeply missed by her five children, Kevin (Melinda Mason) Alexander of Dover, Leslie (husband, Doug) Kendle of Bolivar, Bruce "Alex" Alexander and Marc Alexander, both of Wainwright, and Marissa (husband, Shawn) Handrich of Dover; seven grandchildren, Ian (Lauren), Maria and Jared Alexander, Abigail (Joe) Roof and Alan Kendle, and Riley and Grant (Summer) Handrich; two great-grandchildren, John David “J.D.” Alexander and Eleanor Grace Roof; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Grace was preceded in death by a grandson, Vincent Alexander, and her siblings, Alex “Ping” (Pauline) Bonvechio and Gloria (Elwood) Keister.
The family will greet guests on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia, where a Christian Wake Service will begin at 4:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by Fr. Jeff Coning and Fr. Tom Gardner in Immaculate Conception Church at Dennison on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart’s Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services, all are invited to join the family for a time of food and fellowship in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.
Memorial contributions in Grace’s name may be directed to St. Mary’s Elementary School, 100 Sherman St., Dennison, OH 44621, or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Grace by visiting the funeral home’s website at www.GeibCares.com.