Grace Marie Sledge

Grace “Gracie” Marie Sledge was born on February 18, 1931 in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Harry Arthur and Margaret ‘Bina’ Sabina. She grew up in southern Wisconsin until her family moved to Richland, Washington in 1945. Gracie graduated Columbus High School in 1949 and went on to St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota. Graduating St. Mary’s in 1952 and receiving her nurse’s cap was the fulfillment of Gracie’s girlhood dream and something she remained proud of her entire adult life. Gracie subsequently moved to Portland where she worked at the VA for many years and was a resident of the West Moreland Neighborhood in SE Portland. Grace had lived at Brookdale Senior living her last year and passed away on March 3 at Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver. She will be remembered for her warm smile, her sense of fun, a love of travel and adventure, and her long lasting friendships with her nursing colleagues. Gracie was a resident of West Moreland neighborhood and a long time parishioner at St Agatha’s Church. Services will be held at St. Agatha’s Church at 1430 SE Nehalem St, Portland, OR 97202 on Friday March 9th at 1:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 12:30. Her body will be buried next to her parents at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace Sledge’s memory to Ray Hickey Hospice House PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.