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1942 Grace 2025

Grace O'Leary

July 7, 1942 — June 28, 2025

San Jose, CA, and formerly of Davenport, IA

Grace A. O’Leary, beloved wife, cherished friend, and devoted educator, passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in San Jose, California.

Born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Grace lived a life of compassion, service, and quiet strength. After graduating high school in 1960, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1963, where she was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in recognition of her academic excellence. She married the love of her life, Richard Patrick O’Leary, on June 20, 1964, in Davenport, Iowa.

Grace and Dick began their life together in Batavia, New York, where she started her teaching career. In 1970, they moved to San Jose, California, where she completed a Master of Arts in Secondary Education at the University of San Francisco in 1973. Grace taught for many years in the Milpitas School District, where she shaped the lives of countless students.

She was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for 61 years, working passionately to support scholarships for women and promote gender equality. Grace also volunteered with Sacred Heart Community Service, Project Linus, Holy Spirit Church, and the California Retired Teachers Association.

Grace’s life was a testament to kindness, resilience, and generosity. She was deeply committed to her family and community, and her warmth and thoughtful nature left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She had a ready laugh, quiet strength, and an open heart. Grace taught not only in the classroom, but through the way she lived her life. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard; her parents, William and Dorothy; her sisters, Mary Jean and Evelyn; and her brother, David.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport, with visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or AAUW – San Jose.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Grace O'Leary, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Visitation

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Starts at 9:30 am (Central time)

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St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

916 E Rusholme St, Davenport, IA 52803

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Funeral Service

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

Add to Calendar

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

916 E Rusholme St, Davenport, IA 52803

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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