Sr. M. Grace Frances Strauber, SFP

October 24, 1927— May 13, 2022

Sister Grace Frances thought her life as a Sister would consist mostly of prayer and penance. This proved to be true, but not quite in the way she had originally anticipated. Instead, her life was characterized by a deep spirit of prayer to accept surprising assignments and requests, penance in the form of unanticipated change, and the challenge of using her gifts of leadership and clear decision-making in the service of others.

Lenore Volle’ Frances Strauber was born on October 24, 1927 to Grace Martin Strauber and Jerome J. Strauber in NY, NY. Although she was an only child, Lenore found playmates with her many cousins, with whom she lived for a time. Her father’s family was Jewish, a heritage that Lenore was very proud of and mentioned often throughout the years. Her mother was a Christian – and Lenore, having been educated by the Sisters of Charity of NY, eventually became Catholic.

Lenore graduated Elementary School in 1941 and UC St. John’s HS in Goshen, NY in 1945. When she expressed a desire to enter religious life, no one in her family believed that she was “convent material”. Trusting in the voice of God in her prayer and desire, she was not discouraged, and she entered the Novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in Warwick, NY on February 11, 1947, receiving the name Grace Frances. She made her 1st profession of Vows on October 17, 1949 and her Perpetual Profession of Vows on October 17, 1954.

From her earliest years, Sr. Grace Frances was destined to share her gifts in the field of administration. While she worked in the business office of several of the Congregation’s hospitals during the day, she attended classes in accounting at Seton Hall University at night. She received her BBA in Accounting from Siena College and an MHA in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University. After serving as Administration Assistant in St. Francis Hospital, St. Clare Hospital and St. Michael Medical Center in NJ and NY, Sr. Grace Frances’ life turned upside down. She was elected Provincial Treasurer and Congregational Treasurer, during which time she helped to develop the Congregation’s financial system.

Sr. Grace Frances became President/CEO of St. Mary Hospital in Hoboken, NJ where she served for al-most 15 years. She worked with her dedicated staff to serve people of all ethnic, religious and socioec-onomic backgrounds. Together, they built a new wing onto the hospital, survived a fire and a 3-month long nurses’ strike. Through it all, they kept the doors of the hospital and their hearts open to all who needed care.

During this time, she also served on various committees and boards, sharing her expertise and experi-ence in both the healthcare and the business sectors of the community of Hoboken and elsewhere; the most prominent being assisting Sr. Grace Miriam in establishing St. Joseph Innis House for homeless men in Brooklyn, NY and was a board member and then President of the Board of Directors of Hudson United Bankcorp from 1973 to 2001. After this, Sr. Grace ministered as the Director of a Senior Center for Brooklyn Catholic Charities for 3 years.

Upon retiring from full time ministry in 1997, Sr. Grace now had the time and energy to devote herself to the prayer, reading and study she had longed for all her life. She studied Scripture at Fordham University and attended the summer Institute on Sacred Scripture at Misericordia University, Dallas, PA for over 10 years. As her heart, mind and body were renewed, she poured out what she was learning back into service as a parish volunteer. Sr. Grace became Coordinator of the Hospitality Ministry at St. Ignatius Church, NYC, and initiated a Centering Prayer Group there, as well as serving as the Director of the RCIA program in St. Francis Parish, Hoboken NJ. She loved the ministry, especially interacting with young adults, and they in turn, loved her for her knowledge, transparency and wit. An unfortunate fall resulted in a series of serious health issues, and in 2013, Sr. Grace came to St. Clare Convent, Cincinnati, OH for rest and rehabilitation. Here, she continued to endear herself to staff and Sisters alike with her humor and stories. Sr. Grace gently took her last breath at the age of 94 in the early afternoon on Friday, May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Over the years, Sr. Grace cherished our charism of being available to those in need, especially those who are poor. Having witnessed countless changes, she welcomed the celebration of the Eucharist, the renewal of religious life, time to have more contact with family and friends, and a life that is both simple and realistic. In her own words, “when I entered years ago, life in the convent had no external resemblance to who and what we are today, but the love and commitment is the same — only deeper. Certainly, what consecrated life once was, is no more…but what it will become is the mystery of the Spirit of God. Right now, we are in between – and my life is filled with hope. Loving God means loving my sisters and brothers, and all of creation – and this the world will always need!”

Written by: Sr. Jo-Ann Jackowski

“A Soul to Fly”

She spent a lifetime being strong for others and herself,

For her, each soul was meant to fly, not languish on a shelf.

So savvy, so intelligent, so comfortable in charge,

Yet to it all she brought a caring infinitely large.

Wispy clouds and birds’ sweet calls spoke deeply to her heart,

A heart she shared, and that’s the place where love and blessings start.

The following are some testimonials from our Sisters who remember with affection Sr. Grace Frances Strauber:

Sr. Grace Frances was a life giver: a heart for the poor, a life learner, welcoming to others, kind hearted and one who fostered her relationship to God and others over the decades. Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, sfp

Grace Frances, I met her several times… A Great woman! She loved the “Franciscan way of life”! May she rest in peace! Sr. Francesca Atorino, sfp

Sister Grace Frances was a person who was always cheerful, welcoming and kind to everyone. I thank God for knowing her and sharing her life. May God grant her eternal rest. Sr. Tania Ribeiro Machado, sfp