Grace V. Cordi

GUILDERLAND - Grace V. Cordi loved her family and always put them first. She loved to laugh and her smile would light up the room. She passed peacefully into eternal life on Sunday, June 11, 2017, at Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany with her family at her side.

Grace was born September 16, 1942, in Albany, to the late Philip & Alice (MacGowan) DiPace, grew up, and attended school there. As the oldest of six, she was loving and caring and watched out for her siblings growing up. In 1957, when she was fifteen years old, she met her husband Vincent Cordi. They were married on October 6, 1963, a marriage that would last 53 years until her death. They were reunited when Vince passed away on August 3, 2017.

Initially living in Albany they later moved to Guilderland in 1978. She was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Church and taught religion classes there. She was an active member of the Democratic Party in Guilderland and at one time ran for Town Clerk. Grace chose to stay at home to raise their children until they went to school and then went to work for the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. Even after returning to the work force, she was always available. She frequently chauffeured her children, their friends or anyone else who needed a ride wherever they needed to go no matter how far; each and every car ride was full of laughs, wisdom and music.

After retiring, Grace had even more to spend time with family and friends, especially her beloved grandchildren. They were all blessed with getting to enjoy the warm, whimsical, and sensitive side of her. She was open, introspective, quick witted and her out of the box comments, sometimes just delivered with a smirk, were always good for a laugh. She also enjoyed reading, crafts and dining out.

Despite her health issues, she always kept her sense of humor and the mischievous sparkle in her eye. In her final days, Grace asked "Did I do it right?" and all who knew her agree that she absolutely did.

Grace is survived by her sons, Vince (Kelly) Cordi and John (Robin) Cordi; her daughter, Sheri (Russ) Tallman; five grandchildren, Nellie and Sophia Cordi, Tristen Cordi and Brandon and Chase Tallman, all of Guilderland; her brother Phil (Gloria) DiPace, of Stuyvesant; her sisters, Claire (Carl) Roberson, of Albany; Alice (Donald) Scott, of Malta; and Mary (Pat) Sheridan, of Troy; and brother Joe (Becky) DiPace, of Albany. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her cat Smokey.

Calling hours for Vince and Grace will be held Monday, August 7th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd, Colonie. The Parish family of Christ of King Church will gather at 4:30 p.m. for a service of prayer and remembrance. All are welcome. A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, August 8th, at 10 a.m. at Christ The King Church, 20 Sumter Ave., Guilderland. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.