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In Memory

Grace Jackson (Nocella) - Class Of 1946

Grace Jackson (Nocella)

Grace Nocella (nee Jackson) of Voorhees, NJ, formerly of Haddonfield, NJ and Philadelphia, PA passed away on January 11, 2024.  She was 95 years old.

Beloved wife of 68 years to the late Anthony E. Nocella.  Dear mother of Barbara (the late Thomas) McLaughlin, Joseph (Cecilia) Nocella and the late Virginia (Charles) Lope.  Loving grandmother of 7 grandchildren and great grandmother to 8 great grandchildren. 

Grace was born and raised in Philadelphia and lived there until 1999 when she moved to Haddonfield, NJ and later Voorhees. She attended Potter Thomas School, Stetson Junior High School and graduated from Mastbaum Vocational High School. She began her working career as a secretary for Bell Telephone Company. She was introduced to Tony by a friend at work and they married on September 23, 1950.

Tony was part of a large Italian family while Grace was an only child. She often spoke of meeting Tony's 3 sisters and one brother at family gatherings. She adjusted to the sibling interactions and enjoyed being a part of the family. Grace embraced learning how to make red gravy and homemade meatballs from her mother in law. She admired her mother in law for her strength and commitment to family. 

Grace was a working mother before it was the thing to do. She worked full time in the late 1950's when most mothers were at home. She could do this because her parents lived in our home and provided child care. Grace and Tony worked hard to provide for their family and save money for the future. During this time Grace had a number of administrative assistant positions first for a physician group at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia General Hospital and completing her career by working for the City of Philadelphia. Grace worked as a civilian in the police department and served as the administrative assistant to Frank Rizzo during his tenure as Police Commissioner. She later worked in the Community Relations Department and Research and Planning. 

One of the most important values that Grace held was a love of learning and reading. She made every attempt to instill that in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grace was an avid reader, going through 2-3 books in a week. She loved murder mysteries and historical fiction. She got great joy out of passing books along to others and also receiving books that others passed to her. Library book sales were something she looked forward to and thrilled to be able to get there. All of that aside, her most favorite activity was reading a book with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

As you think of Grace, please remember her for the kind and generous person that she was to everyone. Her smile lit up a room, even after her stroke. She treated people the way she wanted to be treated and respected those who worked hard and set goals. Most of all she look for the good in people and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt when they seemed to be out of sorts. 

Grace would not want any of us to be sad at her leaving. After loosing Tony in 2019, she began preparing herself to join him. She prayed for this everyday and her prayers have been answered. She deserves to be at peace with all of her family and friends who have gone before her and while we will miss her, we 

should be thankful that God has answered her prayers and know that she will look out for us and guide us when we need her.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St Mary's Catholic Home and Health Center in Cherry Hill New Jersey. The staff on the St George and Rose Garden units provided exceptional and loving care for Grace over the past 2 months. They not only cared for Grace but offered support to family as well.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Wednesday, January 17, 10 to 11 AM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 820 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ.  Prayer service will follow at 11 AM.  Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Grace's memory to St. Mary's Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare, 210 St. Mary's Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.