Sr. Grace (Elaine Joyce) Thorp, SLW

October 10, 1932 - April 15, 2007 

Grace Thorp was born October 10, 1932 into a very talented family where faith, music, creativity and laughter reigned.  Her earliest recollection of religious women was when she began first grade at St. Mary school in Riverdale, IL.  What clinched her desire to become a Sister was a little event that took place on her 10th birthday.  Sister Dolorose, principal and superior, invited her to play some games with the Sisters.  Upon experiencing the fun and joyfulness of the Sisters, she decided she wanted to be like them.  From this time on, it was Sister Stella who "was God's instrument used to foster my vocation."

In later years when Grace reflected on her life as a Sister of Christian Charity and a Sister of the Living Word, she wrote that it was and still is a "continuous beginning again," answering the Lord's call, day after day, answering and growing one day at a time.

Her years of faithful ministry included teaching in several elementary schools, and then working in a few parishes as music coordinator and choir director.  As the initial stages of Alzheimer's illness began to affect her, she ministered as a family care worker and then as an aide in a Montessori School.

In 1975 Grace made an awesome retreat on the Gospel of St. John.  It was later that summer that the new Community took shape, and the effort to find and choose a new name required much energy from the group.  Among 55 suggested titles, Grace's entry "Sisters of the Living Word" was chosen.  This title and the subsequent mission statement became, for Grace, the challenge of her life.

Her priorities in life were prayer, intimate communing with God, and ministry to the poor.  She chose to teach in poorer areas with children who needed the gifts of her music and lightheartedness.  Grace loved teaching them to express themselves in ,music, dance and games.

During her last years at Resurrection Life Center, Grace lived her name:  she was always a smiling gracious person who welcomed visitors and friends.  As her friend Sister Rita Ramos wrote, "Even Alzheimer's disease cannot destroy a heart eternally joyful and smiling."

                                           -Virginia Thoennes, SLW

Sr. Grace ministered at the following locations:

St. Gregory Elementary-Chicago, IL

St. Elizabeth Elementary-Detroit, MI

Holy Trinity Elementary-Detroit, MI

St. Martha Elementary-Morton Grove, IL

DePaul University-Chicago, IL

St. Edward Elementary-Chillicothe, IL

St. Raphael Elementary-Chicago, IL

St. Catherine Laboure-Glenview, IL

St. Joseph the Worker-Wheeling, IL

St. Isaac Jogues Elementary-Niles, IL

Mt. St. Joseph College-Cincinnati, OH

St. Mary of Celle-Berwyn, IL

Maternity, BVM-Chicago, IL

Loyola University-Chicago, IL

St. Simeon Elementary-Bellwood, IL

St. Mary-Odessa, TX

St. Joan of Arc Parish-Lisle, IL

St. Charles Borromeo-Peru, IN

Family Care Services-Chicago, IL

NW Suburban Montessori-Arlington Heights, IL