Grace Gillis Healy

Grace Hilda Gillis Healy passed away peacefully August 11, 2015 at her Canterbury home in downtown Charleston, S.C. She will be sadly missed by dozens of nieces, nephews, step-sons and grandchildren, friends and relatives. Grace grew up and worked in much loved New York City. In 1978 she married her high school friend, Edward Francis Healy. She then did her best to be a stepmom to “Eddie’s” two teenaged sons, Michael and Dennis. After Grace was widowed, she left her life in NYC and willingly moved to Charleston to help her sister, Eileen, after a stroke left her paralyzed. It was her joy and calling to keep family connected. The old fashioned way: through birthday cards (stuffed with a lucky lottery ticket), warm letters with lots of details about her busy life (with no space leftover) and long chatty phone calls (anytime night or day). Grace shared her love of Irish music (especially with Carroll Brown at Tommy Condon’s), good books, playing Bunko, karaoke, old movies and just having fun wherever the Canterbury bus would take her. A devout Catholic, Grace could be seen wheeling her chair down the Charleston streets (not sidewalks) to Mass or saying her rosary in the garden. Aunt Grace (aka “Porkchop”) loved to help others with a willing and grateful heart even though her pot was usually empty at the end of the month. “Irish Eyes are Smiling” now that our sweet Grace, the youngest and last of seven, is with her piano playing and singing family in heaven. There will be a reception following First Friday Catholic Mass, September 4, 11 AM, at The Canterbury. Donations can be made in Grace’s name to the attention of Sister Clara at Daughters of St. Paul, 243 King Street, Charleston, S.C. 2940l or to the Attention of Sister Flora Marinelli at St. Patrick's Convent, 29-37 28th St., Long Island City, NY 11101.

Reception:
Canterbury House
175 Market Street
Charleston, SC
29401
There will be a reception following First Friday Catholic Mass, September 4, 11 AM, at The Canterbury. Donations can be made in Grace’s name to the attention of Sister Clara at Daughters of St. Paul, 243 King Street, Charleston, S.C. 2940l OR to the attention of Sister Flora Marinelli at St. Patrick's Convent, 39-37 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101