Grace Ferraro

Grace Marie LoCastro Ferraro, 86, died peacefully, Friday, November 27th at her home after a year long battle with lymphoma.  

Grace was born on April 25th, 1929 in Erie, Pa. the daughter of Leonard and Antonina Moscato LoCastro.   After losing her mother when she was only two, she was raised by her father and her ten older siblings in Erie’s colorful Little Italy neighborhood.  She was married in 1947 to Albert Ferraro, who remained a lifelong friend.  Grace had an unwavering faith in the Catholic church where she found strength and guidance throughout her journey in life.  She was active in parish life at Blessed Sacrament Church, St. Matthews in the Woods and most recently Our Lady of Peace Church.  She attended mass daily and was especially close to the members of the seven o’clock mass group at Our Lady of Peace.

Grace’s love of children led her to volunteer at St. Joseph orphanage where she formed lifelong friendships with several of the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sr. Marie Baptiste and Sr. Charlene.  After raising her two boys, Grace decided to join the work force and became a customer service agent for Jetstream and Vee Neel Airlines and later as a sales associate with Lenscrafters.  She will be forever be remembered for her delicious pies, her witty humor, and her unconditional love for her children and her grandchildren.

Survivors include her two sons, Frank (Ginnean) Ferraro and Thomas (Cathy) Ferraro.  She is also survived by her six grandchildren Leslie (Andy) Jaglowski, Raechel (Justin) Meyer, Michael, Samantha, Dean and Tessa Ferraro along with four great- grandchildren, Caden, Ruby, Hudson and Harlow.  She is also survived by her sisters Marion Vitale and Antonina (Nini) Andalora along with several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Grace was proceeded in death by her brothers John, Samuel, Russell, and Leonard LoCastro; five sisters: Florence Caito, Vincie Prugnoli, Josephine Savelli, Mamie Wrobel, and Marietta Totelben.  She was also preceded in death by her brother- in- law, Joseph Ferraro and her sister- in- law, Gilda Selvaggi.

Friends are invited to call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th & Liberty St. on Monday from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM and are invited to attend Prayer Services there Tuesday at 12:30 PM followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 PM in Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to St. Judes Children Hospital,262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Christophers, 5 Hanover Square 22nd Fl, New York ,NY 10004.