Grace Elizabeth Michael, dedicated, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away March 21, 2023 at the age of 76.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Glenn and Grace Hamel, Grace grew up in Peters Township, PA. After high school, while working at Gimbels Department store, she met Steve Michael. They married on March 26tb, 1966 and started their life together, moving briefly to Neptune, NJ. and then, in 1973, settling in Granville, Ohio. They put down deep roots, both metaphorically through their children Jeffrey and Deborah, and literally through their love of gardening. Among other accomplishments, they spent many years with their Knoll Drive neighbors forming the Knoll Moles to take care of Granville’s downtown flower beds.

Grace dedicated herself to being a wonderful mother to Debbie & Jeff and a loving wife to Steve. She supported all of them in their life pursuits, helping with school, cheering at sporting events and having family dinner on the table every day to bring them all together as a family.

Starting in 1987, Grace joined the staff of the Granville Public Library where she shared that gift of supporting others with generations of library visitors. Many library patrons remember the way she welcomed them with a beaming smile as they entered the building. She loved engaging with everyone, lending a hand and sharing her joy over the 21 years of her service.

As the years unfolded, Grace had the opportunity to be a fabulous and loving grandparent, first as a surrogate to Caitlin and Olivia Hester and later to Sophia Michael, daughter of Jeff & Nicole Cordan. All of them remember her warm and loving embrace and the way she added a sense of wonder to every experience.

Later in life, Steve & Grace split their time between Granville and Venice, Florida. As always, Grace created a rich sense of community around her. In particular, she formed a close group of friends for water aerobics and knitting. Her commitment to her group of friends was unwavering to the point that she made certain there were others who would run water aerobics when she and Steve returned to year-round residence in Granville in late 2022.

We remember Grace for her perpetually loving smile, her welcome arms, and her endless capacity to make others feel as if they were the most important person in the room. She made guests feel at home, and she made her home a place of joy and support.

Surviving is her husband of 56 years, Steven; her daughter Deborah Michael, son and daughter-in-law Jeffrey Michael and Nicole Cordan; and granddaughter, Sophia.

In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Cindrich.

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