Sister M. Grace Frances Strauber, (nee: Lenore Volle) 94, quietly passed into the heart of God on Friday, May 13, 2022. She was the only child of the late Jerome and Grace Martin Strauber, born and raised in New York. Despite being an only child, Lenore had the pleasure of sharing cherished childhood memories with her cousins. As a young teenager, Lenore shared her desire with her family about her call to religious life. They did not take her desire seriously until she made her profession of vows. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1947 and received the name Sr. Grace Frances. She made Perpetual Profession in 1954. Initially, Sr. Grace Frances worked as an Administrative Assistant in a number of the Congregation’s sponsored hospitals prior to her obtaining her BBA in Accounting from Siena College. A shortly thereafter, she obtained her MHA from St. Louis University. She served as Provincial and Congregational Treasurer for a few years before re-investing her energies back into healthcare. She served as President of St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, New Jersey for almost fifteen years. She extended her gifts to the local community of Hoboken by being on the Board of Hudson United Bankcorp for over twenty- five years and was well known in the city.

Sr. Grace Frances used her healthcare experience through her membership on various Boards and Foundations to advocate for improved quality of care, especially for those who were poor or in need. She was a woman who left no stone unturned, and redirected her life to ministerial services in her later years. Her efforts included: being on the Regional Leadership Team, the Program Director for St. Louis Senior Center in Brooklyn, and Coordinator of the Ministry of Hospitality and Facilitator for Centering Prayer at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Manhattan for ten years. She was actively engaged until 2013 as Director of the RCIA Program at St. Francis Church, in Hoboken, NJ. Due to an unfortunate fall, her health was compromised and she relocated to Cincinnati for ongoing care among her own fellow sisters. In more recent years, Sr. Grace Frances has been devoted to prayer and presence, both ministries she lived and valued throughout her life.

Sr. Grace Frances leaves behind her fellow Sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and two cousins, Sondra Bachety and Ursula Lulley and their families, along with many friends and associates. The Liturgy of Resurrection will occur on Thursday, May 19 at 10:00 am in St. Clare Chapel, 60 Compton Road. This service will be livestreamed via Facebook at Franciscan Sisters of the Poor/U.S. Area. Interment will immediately follow the liturgy. In lieu of flowers, kindly direct donations to Franciscan Ministries, 110 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215 or online at franciscanministriesinc.org