Grace Garver Rader died peacefully in her home on April 24, 2020 at the age of 100. She was born May 3, 1919 in Pittsburgh Pa. to the late Norman E. and Dorothy Garver, and was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Charles M. "Chuck" Rader and one sister. She is survived by three children: Brian (Alice) Rader of Cutler Bay, FL; Craig (Melody) Rader of Dover, OH and Evelyn Grace Rader, of Leetsdale, PA. Surviving also are three grandchildren: Craig W. Rader, of Ambridge, PA; Chris (Lauren) Rader, of Cincinnati, OH; Scott Rader, of Columbus, OH and three great grandchildren: Garrett; Kyle and Graham. Grace was aunt to four nephews and three nieces, one of whom, Shirley Smith, held a special place in her heart.

Grace attended Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. After graduating in 1941 she held positions with the WPA and Turtle Creek High School in Turtle Creek, Pa. where she taught Vocational Home Economics. Grace had met Chuck while both were at Carnegie Tech and they married on June 18, 1943. For the next 10 years, while starting a family, the couple ably coped with the challenges of Chuck's extended absences on Navy deployments during WWII and the Korean War and a dozen family relocations to new cities. Grace had to make more than one of those moves without Chuck's help. She was on her own with 2 small children, a car, a roadmap and 500-mile journeys ahead of her. She had no choice but to be amazingly resourceful and strong during those difficult times and it set a pattern she would follow for the rest of her life. In 1953, the family put down lasting roots, building a house in Edgeworth, Pa. where she and Chuck raised their family and she lived until her death 67 years later. She and Chuck traveled extensively to numerous destinations scattered across six continents. Two African safaris and a cruise along the coast of Alaska were among their favorite trips. Having seen so much of the world, faced such a wide range of life experiences and witnessed some of history's most important events coupled with her extraordinary memory made Grace a treasure trove of knowledge. She thoroughly enjoyed relating stories about places she had been, people she met, life growing up in Pittsburgh, the Great Depression, wars and their aftermath, and travels with Chuck.

Grace was a remarkable person. Long before it was fashionable, she believed women should take charge of their lives and speak out for what they believed to be right. She strove for excellence, demanding much of herself and expecting much from others. She felt there was only one way to do something and that was the correct way, and of course, the correct way was her way. She loved life, especially simple things like seeing new flowers bloom in spring, or watching the hummingbirds dip to take a drink at one of her many feeders. Grace was an avid gardener into her later nineties, spending hours outside tending plantings throughout her yard. She was a skillful homemaker, phenomenal seamstress and talented baker. Her family and friends looked forward each Christmas to receiving her special gifts. Batches of sweet rolls made from scratch and jars of homemade jam were among the hand-crafted items she took pleasure in making and giving. Grace enjoyed bridge and was a wonderful player. The mental challenge of playing was important, but the opportunity to visit and socialize with her bridge friends was her real joy.

Grace will be missed. She truly was such a person as one might only have the good fortune to meet once in a hundred years. Thankfully, until the end of her life, Grace's mind and memory were as sharp as they had ever been.  Her family extends a special thanks to Beth Adams and Colleen Kelley Whalen. With their help, Grace was able to live out her life as she wished, independently and in her own home.  Grace was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sewickley, Pa. where a Memorial Service will be held at a future time.

In lieu of flowers or for those friends wishing to make a donation in Grace's name, contributions may be made to  Allegheny Land Trust, 416 Thorn St, Sewickley, Pa. 15143 or Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, 2506 Wexford Bayne Rd, Sewickley, Pa. 15143.