Mary Grace Grisillo (Blanchard)

Mary Grace Grisillo, 94, of Sullivan's Island, SC entered into eternal rest with her family by her side on Saturday, September 3, 2016. She was born on Saturday, August 19, 1922 in Sullivan's Island, SC to the late Mrs. Ellen T Scharlock and the late Mr. William Joseph Blanchard. Mary Grace grew up on the island during simpler times with her six siblings and close cousins passing the days roaming the island, going to the beach and entertaining themselves. The idyllic days of youth gave way to financial hardships during the depression and Mary Grace left school at an early age to help support the family, working at Simmons Market, the Army Post Exchange and Post Office. In 1948, she married Eddie, a shipmate of her brother William. Above all Mary Grace loved her family. As a wife and full time mother she nurtured and cared for her children and grandchildren until her last breath. As one of her grandchildren noted in a tribute, everyone was welcome at her home and her table. Many friends and acquaintances had the pleasure of enjoying her cooking, especially her signature fried chicken and rice and gravy. She was a woman of unwavering faith and steadfast prayer. When she was troubled, she would pray; when she was happy and grateful, she would pray. She taught us to pray in thanksgiving for our blessings and chief among those blessings is our connection to Mary Grace. She was a lifelong member of Stella Maris Catholic Church. She is survived by six children, Linda M. Jensen (Larry) of Huger, SC, Patty Smith (Dr. David Smith) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Michael Grisillo (Terry) of Summerton, SC, Ellen Pruitt (Gary) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Karen Allen (Edward) of James Island, SC, and John Joseph Grisillo (Kathy) of Charleston, SC; Sixteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, and her loving husband of 67 years, Edward Theodore Grisillo. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 12:00 PM with Msgr. Lawrence B McInerny officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family would like to express their appreciation to Francina Boykin for her dedicated and loving care to Mary Grace for the past five years. Memorial donations can be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society C/O Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 or Bishop England High School, 363 Seven Farms Road, Daniel Island, SC 29492. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE ROAD, MT PLEASANT, SC (843) 884-3833.