Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Sister Grace Berger died August 12, 2016, at Seton Residence in Evansville, Ind. She was 71 years of age and 46 years vocation. A Wake Service for Sister Grace was celebrated Thursday, August 25, at 9:30 AM at the Seton Residence Chapel, 9200 New Harmony Road, Evansville, Ind. The Funeral Mass followed at 11 AM. Sister Grace is interred at St. Joseph Cemetery in Evansville.
Sister Grace was born June 9, 1945, in St. Louis, Mo. Baptized Grace Ann, Sister was the only daughter of four children born to Bernard William and Grace Romitello (Viviano) Berger. Sister Grace was a 1963 graduate of Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Welfare from Loyola University in New Orleans, La., in 1974; and she earned her Master’s in Social Work Degree from the University of Texas, Austin, in 1982. Sister entered the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in May of 1970. Her home parish in St. Louis was Our Lady of Sorrows.
Following initial formation, Sister Grace served in New Orleans, La., at Louise Day Care Center (1971 to 1972) and St. Vincent Infant Home, (1972 to 1976); in San Antonio, Tex., at DePaul Family Center & Clinic, (1976 to 1977) and El Carmen Clinic, (1977 to 1980); Guardian Angel Settlement Association, St. Louis, (1982 to 1983, 1991 to 1992; 1996 to 1997); Marywood Home of Holy Infancy, Austin, Tex., (1983 to 1984, 1988 to 1989); El Carmen Clinic and Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio-El Carmen Division, San Antonio, (1984 to 1988); St. Augustine Parish, Dallas, Tex. (1989); in Fund Development at the Daughters of Charity’s former Marillac Provincialate, St. Louis, Mo., (1990); as Fund Developer in various cities of the Daughters’ former West Central Province, (1992 to 1995); at the Daughters of Charity National Health System (1997 to 1998); at Caritas Center, St. Louis, (1997 to 1998); at Marian Hall Residential Care, St. Louis, (1999 to 2000); at the former Marillac Provincialate, St. Louis (1999 to 2000); at St. Francis de Sales, St. Louis, (1999 to 2002); at the former Marillac Province Archives, St. Louis, (2003 to 2006); and at The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, Mo., (2002 to 2010). In 2010, Sister Grace entered the Ministry of Prayer at Veronica House of The Sarah Community, Bridgeton. She served there until 2015 when she was missioned to continue her Ministry of Prayer at Seton Residence, Evansville, Ind. Sister served there until the time of her death.
Sister Grace was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Bernard W. Berger. She is survived by her brothers, Thomas A. Berger of St. Louis and John (Nina) Berger of Sandy Hook, Conn.; nieces and nephews; friends; and her Sisters in Community.