Grace Margaret (Schrage) Carroll

Grace M. Carroll, 99, of Sleepy Hollow, New York, passed into eternal life on November 16, 2017 in the loving presence of her family in her cherished home of 63 years after a long and fruitful lifetime.

Grace’s maternal grandmother, a native of Denmark, immigrated to America from Germany with her children, and supported them as a skilled seamstress. Her granddaughter Grace Margaret was born in New York City on June 8, 1918, the second child of Martha (Lane) and Frederick Schrage.

Grace graduated from George Washington High School in Manhattan’s Washington Heights and took night courses in business and bookkeeping at Hunter College. The Great Depression cut short her higher education, and she went to work full time at P. F. Collier & Son, publisher of Collier’s magazine, Collier’s Encyclopedia, and many other titles. There she rose to the rank of Executive Secretary to the President and met her future husband, John F. Carroll, then an enterprising young bookman and journalist.

Grace and John were married on June 29, 1946, while he was a Captain on leave from the U.S. Army. The couple first settled in Queens Village, N.Y., and in 1955 moved to North Tarrytown, N.Y., on the banks of the Hudson River. Grace had a dual gift for words and numbers. Not only did she serve as her husband’s lifelong editor and typist, but she also managed his book service business and oversaw the household accounts. John’s extensive travel to schools and libraries throughout the country meant that Grace bore primary responsibility for raising their four children.

Grace was an active member of St. Teresa of Avila Church for more than 60 years. She was elected president of the PTA and the Altar and Rosary Society, and served as librarian of the parish grade school. With her husband, she helped organize numerous parish and civic events. For years Grace and John hosted a picnic at their home on Memorial Day in gratitude to the veterans of foreign wars.

In 1974 Grace began her second career as Secretary to the Chief of Police of the New Castle Police Department in Chappaqua, N.Y. Her tenure was marked by integrity, reliability, and discretion. She retired after 15 years of public service but remained engaged in the community through the Sleepy Hollow Seniors Club, civic associations, and her parish.

Grace was predeceased by her husband, Lt. Col. John F. Carroll (d.1985), and her sister, Dorothy Downward (d.2009). She is survived by her four loving children: Maureen P. Carroll and her husband, William L. Stull; John F. Carroll, Jr.; James C. Carroll and his wife, Susan J. Carroll; and Regina Carroll Moore and her husband, Stewart F. “Rusty” Moore. Grace leaves four beloved grandchildren: James C. Carroll, Jr. and his wife, Nicole Vitale; Katelyn Grace Moore; Patrick F. Carroll; and Megan D. Moore, as well as several dear nephews and cousins. Grace treasured the sustaining friendship of her longtime neighbors James F. Donovan and his late wife, Patricia (d.2017). Grace’s impish rescue dog, Marty, brought joy and laughter to her diamond years.

The family extends special thanks to the medical professionals who cared for Grace and to her devoted home care aide, Lydia Rodriguez. We also thank Barbara Ceconi for her weekly visits to administer Holy Communion to Grace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 130 Beekman Ave., Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 21, 2017.  After the service, Grace will be laid to rest with her husband in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 20, 2017 from 3pm to 7pm  at the Coffey Funeral Home, 91 North Broadway, Tarrytown, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Grace’s honor to the charity of your choice.

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