Marigrace (Terracina) Clarke entered fully into the presence of the Lord on Friday, February 17, 2023.  She was 77 years old.  Marigrace was a faithful woman who loved the Lord, her family, church, parish, and community.  She joins in Heaven her parents, in-laws, and beloved son Matthew, along with all her other dearly departed.

Marigrace was born November 23, 1945 to Sam and Marie Terracina in St. Louis, Missouri.  She was the oldest of 11 children: Jim, Donna (Emnett), Marla (Piontek), Gordon, Sam, Joe, Martin, Charlie, John and Lisa (Zorn).  As a child she attended Our Lady of The Presentation Grade School.  Marigrace graduated from St. Mark's High School in 1963.  Marigrace attended St. John's School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Marigrace worked as a nurse until her retirement.  Being a nurse was who she was at her core, and she was absolutely one of the finest.  Not only did she provide excellent patient care, she actually cared for each of her patients.  She was part of many organizations and was a role model for all of her coworkers.

Marigrace and John Clarke were married on December 27, 1968.  Their daughter Joan was born in March, 1971 and their son Matt in June, 1973.  Their four beloved grandchildren are Lucille, Marilyn, John, and Jane Dunker.  Being a wife, a mother, and especially a grandmother known as "Gaga" were roles perfected by Marigrace.

Anyone who ever met Marigrace knows, as her husband John said, "She was a superior person in every way who would do anything for anyone."  As her grandson John said, "She was probably the most selfless and kind person I knew and she did everything she could to better everyone's lives."

Marigrace always anticipated others' needs.  The amount of time she found to show care and love towards others was extraordinary.  Marigrace also went farther than the extra mile.  The examples of her care and compassion are too numerous to catalog.  If you knew Marigrace for even a moment, you experienced all that she had to offer and are left in awe of how effortlessly she performed phenomenal acts of awesomeness.  From praying, to volunteering, to creating, to being there in your time of need, Marigrace did it all.

Each of her four grandchildren had a special relationship with "Gaga".  Tuesday nights were a night of dinners, planning, learning, and being loved by Gaga.  Lucille, Marilyn, John, and Jane all knew that they were loved and supported by her and she taught them so much about how to be successful in life.  Most of all, the time they spent with Gaga taught them to be the best people they could be. Each of her grandchildren loved her and learned from her and the magic they shared together was amazing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Peter and Paul Community Services in St. Louis at 2612 Wyoming Street, 63118 or to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org .

A memorial email has been set up for you to share pictures, memories, or sentiments at mayhergraceliveon@gmail.com.

Marigrace's daughter Joanie asks that we all try to be half the person Marigrace was so the world can become a better place.

"What you are is God's gift to you; What you become is your gift to God."

Visitation will be Friday, 2/24 at Ortmann's Funeral Home, 9222 Lackland Rd, 63114 from 2-8pm.  Funeral Mass at 11am, Saturday, 2/25 at Our Lady of the Presentation in Overland.