Grace Annette O'Leary

Born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Grace lived a life rooted in compassion, service, and quiet strength. Her deep care for others was evident in every role she embraced—whether in the classroom as a dedicated teacher or as a committed member of numerous community service organizations. Her generous spirit and welcoming heart left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

After graduating from high school in 1960, Grace attended Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963. She was inducted into the prestigious Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in recognition of her academic excellence. On June 20, 1964, she married the love of her life, Richard Patrick O’Leary, in Davenport, Iowa.

Grace and Dick began their married life in Batavia, New York, where Grace launched her teaching career in middle and high schools. In 1970, they moved to San Jose, California, where she would continue to shape the lives of countless students. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of San Francisco in 1973.

Grace taught in the Milpitas School District, where her passion for education was matched only by her devotion to empowering others. For over six decades, she was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), tirelessly working to create scholarship opportunities for women and championing gender equality. She also gave her time and talents to Sacred Heart Community Service, Project Linus, Holy Spirit Church, and the California Retired Teachers Association.

Grace embodied the meaning of her name. Her life was a gift to all who knew her—marked by kindness, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to others. She had a quiet strength, a ready laugh, and a profound love for her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard; her parents, William and Dorothy; her sisters, Mary Jean and Evelyn; and her brother, David.

A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:30am at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:30am until time of service at the church. Following the burial, a Celebration of Life will be held at Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport from 1:00pm – 3:00pm.

A second Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 12:00pm – 2:00pm at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, San Jose, CA