GRACE LORETTA BONCELLA Dec. 12, 1922 – June 27, 2018
Grace Loretta Boncella passed from this earth peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on June 27th, 2018.
Grace entered this world, full of life, on December 12, 1922 to Joseph and Emily Petrick.
Always interested in theater, she would later refer to her life as occurring in “Acts”. Her 1st Act, her childhood, was enjoyed in Cleveland, Ohio. Her dad, Joe, was a policeman who worked the night shift. Emily was a huge movie fan, so every Wednesday she would take Grace and, her sister Alice, to the movies after dinner. Thus, began Grace’s love affair with movies and theater.
WWII broke out when Grace was almost 19, living at home and working for the telephone company. Throughout the war years, Grace continued to work and began corresponding with Chet Boncella, whom she had known casually through church. Chet was in the Navy and rarely on leave, but when he was home, he would get together with Grace and their romance blossomed.
They were married on Aug. 3, 1946 and thus began Act II of her life. They began their married life traveling out west and settling in Southern California where their family grew to four with the births of Lorraine and Bob. They lived in California for five years until they were needed to help with family back in Cleveland.
Grace, Chet and family moved back to Cleveland and seven years later, their family grew to five with Jim. It was after Jim was born, that Grace became involved with acting in the local little theater productions. Though time limited her from participating as much as she would have liked, the time with the little theater remained one of her fondest memories.
Chet’s job took them to Appleton, Wisconsin in 1976 and, after retirement in 1993, they moved to Florida to be near family. Chet’s passing in 1997 left a lasting space in Grace’s life, as they had shared many fun and wonderful adventures together, golfing, fishing and exploring.
Always independent in nature, Grace showed great strength as she began Act III. In 2003, Grace moved with her family to Los Alamos, where she purchased the home where she remained until her passing. She loved living in Los Alamos and enjoyed volunteering with the senior center and hospital auxiliary where she made friends and met so many wonderful people. Grace made a lasting impression on those she met and will be very much missed.
We would like to give many thanks to Grace’s loving caregivers, Thea, Lindsey and Bunny, and to the wonderful care that Sande of Los Alamos Visiting Nurses Services
provided over the years and, especially, during Grace’s final days. We cannot express our appreciation enough to these incredibly caring individuals.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Boncella, sister Alice Cobb, and daughter-in-law, Carol Boncella. She is survived by her daughter, Lorraine Wiley, son-in-law Stan Wiley, son Robert Boncella, son Jim Boncella, daughter-in-law Linda Boncella, grandchildren, Michelle Turshon , David Turshon, Melissa Bowlby, Dan Turshon, Stewart Wiley, Sarah Olsen, Ann Marie Boncella, Katie Prater, Amy Boncella and Melanie Boncella, as well as 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
A private celebration of Grace’s life will be held in early August.
In memory of Grace, please greet others with a warm smile and enjoy the beautiful scenery that is Los Alamos – she truly loved living in this wonderful community!
