Grace Gallimore Leonida, age 90, passed away on July 15, 2019.  She was beloved wife of Dan Leonida for 44 wonderful years.

Grace was born in Merchantville, NJ, the second of six children, to Anna Cunningham Gallimore and William G. Gallimore, She is predeceased by her parents as well as her 5 siblings: Fr. William G. Gallimore OSA, Anne Gallimore Emmerling, Sr. Mary Annice RSM (Margaret Gallimore), John J. Gallimore, and Richard P. Gallimore., as well as one dear niece, Mary Engelbert and her great niece, JaneAnn Engelbert.

Grace graduated from Camden Catholic High School, and began college at Chestnut Hill, but soon decided to apply to the Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy. She continued her studies at Georgian Court College, graduating as a gifted pianist, a talented music teacher, and a Sister of Mercy, Sr. Mary Fatima, RSM. Sr. Fatima began her teaching career at Red Bank Catholic HS.

After her younger sister, Peggy, also a Sr. of Mercy, Sr. Annice, became ill and died at age 32 of cancer, Grace’s life grew more and more challenging, complicated by treatments for serious health issues. After 23 years of Convent life, Grace was counseled to consider a different path to see if her health would improve.

She easily found a job as music teacher in Maple Shade School District, spent more time with family, and became an avid walker. About this time, Dan walked into her life; soon they were planning to marry and move to Hatfield, near Dan’s job. Grace found a position at Lansdale Catholic as Librarian that challenged her inquisitive mind, jelled with her wide range of reading habits and came with a staff that fit like family.

Both Grace and Dan loved being active; they hiked mountains, played tennis, and soon acquired a small boat, “Wanderer”, and a berth at Lake Nockamixon. Over time, the boat grew to the 25’ Catalina that the Captain and his “Best Mate” sailed all over the Chesapeake (well into their 80’s!) on cruises that involved weeks of “rafting up” with a tight knit group of sailing friends in Catalina 22 Fleet Ten. Winter parties were required to plan their summer adventures.

Since Grace loved to cook, and she and Dan raised hosting to a level few even attempt in these busy times, their house became the place to gather for all manner of celebrations.

Grace was, at her center, a deeply spiritual person, and her love for her Parish family at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church extended to many activities and causes, but especially the Choir. Playing the piano had became painful years ago, but she only recently gave up singing at most funerals.

Survived by her husband Dan Leonida and his children Marie Dina LaLande, Andrei Leonida Rainu, and Catinca Villeneuve, and several first cousins, and the next generation of nieces and nephews and their children, Grace’s life was full of family and friends to the end, with Dan always by her side. Her life was a lesson for all of us to endure the hardships and savor the blessings.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial, on Friday, July 19, 2019 at 11:00 AM, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, PA 19446, where the family  will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:45 AM prior to Mass.  Entombment will be in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to

Sisters of Mercy, 515 Montgomery Ave., Merion PA19066 (sistersofmercy.org)