Grace Marie Siraqusa Pierce of Raeford was born in Dunkirk, New York on February 5, 1926 to the late Sam M. Siraqusa and Carrie Cammarata (Privateer) Siraqusa. She was preceded in death by her husband, James B. Pierce and her sons, Patrick Pierce in 1976 and Gerald Pierce in 2012, her brothers, Anthony Privateer, George Privateer, Sr., Marion Siragusa, one sister, Jennie Gugino, a niece, Louise Pelleteer, and infant nephew Anthony Privateer.
After graduating from Fredonia High School, she worked in her family owned grocery store as a clerk/butcher until her early thirties. For 15 years she was the day manager for Your Host Restaurant. She also worked as a waitress/cook for Normandy Restaurant, Vineyard Restaurant and Vineyard Golf Course. She continued to work in the culinary department of S.U.N.Y. at Fredonia until she retired due to health reasons.
She is survived by her children Janet Pierce and Bernice Miller of Raeford, Carolyn Lochbaum (Ken) of Northeast, Pennsylvnia; her daughter-in-law Kathleen Pierce of Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania; her grandchildren, Michael Killon (Kim), Kevin Killion (Robin) both of Dunkirk, New York, Renee Lockwood (John) of Randolph, New York, Virginia Kawski (Scott) of Erie, Pennsylvnia, Jill Snow (Steven) of West End, James A. Phillips and Richard D. Phillips of North Carolina, Richard Randall (Alex) of Erie, Pennsylvania, Brent Lochbaum (Jan) of Texas, Crystal Dorman of Northeast, Pennsylvania, Laura McAdoo of Ohio, Amanda Sova (Seth) of Northeast Pennsylvania, Kara Lochbaum of Northeast, Pennsylvania, Carrie Pierce of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Alexis Sova (Aaron) of Virginia; 35 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; nephews, Carl Privateer (Kay) of Fredonia, New York, George Privateer, Jr. (Kay) of Fredonia, New York and Florida, and David Siragusa of Brocton, New York.
Mass of Christian Burial will be observed on Friday, November 29, 2013 at 9 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, Fredonia, New York.
Care of the family has been entrusted with Crumpler Funeral Home of Raeford, NC and Fantazzi Funeral Home of Fredonia, NY.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Open Arms Retirement Home-Resident Holiday Fund, 612 Health Drive, Raeford, NC 28376.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.