Grace Katheryn Gioa

January 3, 1921 - January 28, 2022

Grace Katheryn Gioa, passed away peacefully after a very long illness on Friday, January 28, 2022 Known by family and friends as "GarceKay", she had suffered with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia for several years. She loved going to the beauty salon, casino and most especially walking Delaware Park back in the day. She loved gardening and at her peak she grew several varieties of roses. The rose gardens at Delaware Park were always her inspiration. GraceKay also loved to bake. After her retirement, she would spend several days a week in the kitchen baking for neighbors, family and friends. Anything from Apple Strudel to Placek to Cheesecakes, Muffins, all kinds of cookies and pastries. She had all of Julia Child's cookbooks and she loved to "invent " new recipes. She will also be remembered for her inviting smile and warm personality. It has been said that you meet her once as a stranger and you would become friends instantly. She kept a clean and beautiful home always working in her gardens. She retired from the Peter J. Schmidt Company as a book keeper after forty years of service then she worked part time as a home health aid. She started by helping elderly neighbors with shopping, errands, house cleaning and doing what ever she could to be of assistance. Most often, and for years, the little money she made she would spend on the people she was helping. She would buy plants for their homes, little personal gifts or what ever she thought they might like or need. GraceKay also loved animals and had cats and birds, whom she would train to co-habitat together. She gave generously to any animal organization. Through her illness she would often forget people and names; but she could tell you the name of each cat she mothered and talk about her birds. She was a very calm person, always spoke softly, and had an infectious smile and always lit up the room. We would have to mention that she loved to buy clothes. She had an extensive wardrobe and loved to have her clothing and accessories match. "I would call my Aunt up and tell her I was stopping by to say hello. Twenty minutes later when I showed up she would have on a beautiful dress, matching shoes, matching jewelry, make up and not a hair out of place." She was so proud of her appearance. "We are so saddened to have lost such a beautiful and generous soul, but we know she is not suffering any more and Aunt Grace is reunited with everyone gone before her". She left such a legacy of love, compassion, kindness and generosity for all her family. " She was the daughter of the late George Thomas and Elora Grace (nee Jankowski). The best sister to the late Edward (the late Teresa), the late Elizabeth (the late Randall) Desmond and the late Rose (survived by Howard) Reese. Several nieces and nephews survive, whom she considered her "munchkins" (no matter their age!). Her niece, Jacqueline and her husband Donald were at her side when she passed. One of her nephews, Charles Reese, and his wife Pamela were driving from Syracuse but did not arrive before GraceKay was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. She loved and adored her great and great-great nieces and nephews and her God Children Patrick (Frances) Kubda, Jennifer (Olen) Weiss and Kevin (the late Patricia Reese). At Her request, there will be no public services as she always said she quietly came into this world and that is how she wanted to leave. "Remember me as I was and not how I am" -she would always say as she grew older and her health began to steadily deteriorate. "so, this obituary is our legacy to our loving and graceful aunt who will forever be in our hearts, minds and souls. A private gathering will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery as the family will say their final good-bye and give thanks for her life. Family and friends may visit her tribute page at www.kevinmmasonfuneralhome.com where you can share a favorite memory, send a message of condolence and light a candle in her memory. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to any animal rescue group you choose or to Cody's Gift (www.codysgift.com.) "Aunt Gracie- we loved you then, we love you now, and we will always love you. Sleep well. All arrangements have been entrusted to the Kevin M. Mason Funeral Home 154 Weimar Street Buffalo New York 14206. Telephone: (716) 362-0199 Fax: (716) 462-5355 email: [email protected]