Obituary of Sr. Mary Grace Brouch
Sister M. Grace Brouch, OSF
Sister M. Grace Brouch, OSF (1931 – 2017) died at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet, Illinois on September 22, 2017. A native of Aurora, Illinois, she was one of five children born to Louise and John Brouch. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Charles, and sister-in-law, Helen Brouch. She is survived by her brother: Richard of Aurora, IL; her sisters, Joan Cetto and Virginia Brouch both of Phoeniz, AZ; sister-in-law, Donna Brouch and uncle Donald Brummel, both of Aurora, IL. Sister Grace was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet) for 70 years.
Before entering religious life, Sister Grace was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Aurora, IL and attended the Annunciation Grade School. She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Francis (University of St. Francis) Joliet, IL. Sister Grace graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Joliet, IL (now Leach College of Nursing, University of St. Francis).
Sister Grace ministered in the field of education from 1949 until 1957 in Englewood and Winnetka, IL. In 1957 she began her studies in the field of nursing. Upon her graduation in 1960, she ministered as a registered nurse at the Congregation’s Motherhouse in Joliet and in 1961 when Our Lady of Angels opened; she served with Sister Peter as the first members of the nursing staff. In 1967 she became Director of Health Service for the Sisters of St. Francis. In 1973 Sister Grace began a ministry of forty years of service in various health care, parish and community ministries in Brazil, South America.
In 2013 Sister Grace returned to the United States and took residence at Our Lady of Angels, Joliet where she continued her service to the other residents through a ministry of prayer and presence.
The wake for Sister Grace will be at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL, (Wyoming and Rt. 30) on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 2:00 – 6:45 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 4:45 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Procession will leave from Our Lady of Angels on Thursday morning, September 28, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. The Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home. For information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
