Grace Ciccarelli, age 96, passed away in Austin, TX on May 19, 2022. She passed away peacefully in her family's home, in the presence of family and friends who loved her.

Grace was born in Newark, NJ to Angela and Louis Murante, on July 17, 1925. She grew up there with her brother, Sal. Their father passed away while Grace was in her teens, following which event, the two sibling worked to help support the family. The two remained very close throughout the rest of their lives. Grace also distinguished herself academically during this time at St. Lucy's Catholic School in Newark.

Despite humble origins and limited resources, Grace embodied the sentiment that "no one can make you feel small without your consent." At age 12, she chased the boy next door with a snow shovel to discipline him for wrecking her freshly shoveled sidewalk. She married him seven years later in 1944, and the two enjoyed the next 64 years together. Together with Ciro Ciccarelli, she raised their two girls, Ida Ann and Grace Mary, and enjoyed the community of a large extended family.

Grace and Ciro moved to Point Pleasant, NJ in early 1960's. There, they raised their girls in a home that Ciro designed and built, mostly with his own hands. Grace spent much of that time caring for the needs of their older daughter, Ida Ann, who was suffering from a progressive neurological disease. It was a difficult loss for all when Ida ultimately passed in 1976.

The family moved again in 1979 when Ciro's employment took him to south Florida, where they settled in Boca Raton. Their younger daughter, Grace Mary, married Kip Harris there in 1984. Two grandchildren, both girls, soon followed. The two grandchildren were the focus and joy of Grace and Ciro's life from that time on. Grace and Ciro also became avid ballroom dancers, and active members of the Elks and other civic organizations.

Grace and Ciro followed Grace Mary's family to Austin in 1998 after employment drew the younger family there. The grandparents later moved into the younger family's home in 2002, where Grace and Ciro continued to play a huge role in the grandchildren's lives. They also continued their ballroom dancing and other civic engagement, and especially their engagement with the St John Neumann Catholic Church community. Faith was central to Grace's life, and she remained a devout Catholic throughout.

Grace is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Grace Mary and Kip Harris; her granddaughter, Christine Marie Harris and her husband Chase Pratt; and her granddaughter Nicole Harris Zhang and her husband Kevin Zhang.

Grace's life will be celebrated with Mass at 11am on Friday, May 27th, at St John Neumann's Catholic Church in Austin. There will be a visitation period in the church sanctuary, prior to the Mass, from 10:00am to 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Grace's memory can be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St John Neumann church in Austin.