Grace Peterson created a beautiful tapestry with her life, and the people of UGM – staff, residents and volunteers – are oh-so-grateful to have been incorporated into her story.
Grace began volunteering at the Mission in 1985 after working at Sears for many years. She immediately fell in love with the women and children at Anna Ogden Hall, keeping the clothing attic tidy for 15 years. She also helped with administrative work, since there were only three staff members at that time to serve 40-55 women and children.
In 1999, Grace was asked to speak at Women’s Auxiliary on behalf of Anna Ogden Hall. The next year she joined Auxiliary as a church representative and served as secretary for over 10 years. She was known for her diligence, cheerfulness, and willingness to take on any task asked of her.
When the UGM Thrift Store opened in 2002, Grace began a weekly trek that she would continue for more than a decade. Loading the van with women and children from Anna Ogden Hall, she took them to shop for what they needed. The residents looked forward to Grace's visits, and Grace obviously enjoyed being a regular part of the family.
Grace also served as Thrift Store Manager Adela Garcia’s right-hand woman – doing everything from entering data into the computer to baking cupcakes for employees’ birthdays. Adela said Grace was a special woman who will be long remembered. “She built many loving relationships along the way,” Adela said. “She impacted and touched the hearts of many men and women. We knew Grace as a friend, sister, mother and grandma.”
Grace showed amazing flexibility throughout the Mission’s many changes and was always willing to help wherever needed.
She will be remembered for her warm, beautiful smile and her deep love for hurting men, women and children. “Grace, you will be truly missed and will remain in our hearts forever.”
~Elisabeth Roginski, UGM staff writer intern
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