Obituary of Grace A. Papp
Stamford, Conn.
Grace left this world from her home of more than 60 years in Stamford on July 25th, 2017. She passed peacefully and without pain after a major stroke. Albert, her loving husband of 56 years, was by her side. Grace was a devoted wife, mother and friend. Grace is survived by her husband Albert Joseph Papp, her son Thomas Jackson Papp, daughter-in-law Cari Ann (Bruley) Papp, daughter Joann (Papp) Shuford, son-in-law David Brook Shuford and 5 grandchildren: Stephen, Christopher and Jared Shuford, Jackson and Patrick Papp and many nieces and nephews.
Grace had an in dominatable spirit, did and saw so many things in her lifetime that it is impossible to name them all. She was born in New York City on June 14th, 1928. Her parents had immigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire prior to WWI, met and married in New York City. Grace grew up in New York City, played classical piano, knew Latin, spoke and wrote in several other languages including German and Czech. Her father Joseph worked for the Shuberts, so the family followed the Shuberts to Europe each summer while they recruited talent for their theatres.
Grace graduated 2 years early from NYC public schools and went on to study Chemistry at Bryn Mawr and Barnard. She held a master's degree in Chemistry, worked at Oak Ridge National Labs in the 1950's and acquired several chemical patents during her tenure at American Cyanamid in Stamford. In 1961, she married Albert Papp and a few years later put her work at Cyanamid behind her in order to start a family.
Grace played varsity basketball in college, skied, sailed, bowled and played tennis in later years. She and Albert instilled a deep love of the outdoors, sports, science and music in their children. She and Albert were original stockholders in Magic Mountain Ski Area, designed and built a ski chalet and raced and cruised sailboats with their children on the U.S. East Coast. Grace also loved gardening and had constructed beautiful indoor and outdoor gardens all around the family home. Once her children were old enough, Grace began teaching Chemistry at the University of Bridgeport. She was also a volunteer for decades at
the Bartlett Arboretum Greenhouse and the Barnard Bookstore. Grace donated to over 100 charities and always had a smile for everyone she
met. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
Her family will receive friends on Tuesday Aug 8th from 4-7 PM at the Leo P Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer St. Stamford CT. (203)-327-1313.
Father Igor from St. Nicholas Church will perform a prayer service at the funeral home at 6PM lasting approximately 25 minutes.
A funeral service will be held on Wed Aug 9th at St. Nicholas Church at 10:30AM, 768 North St. White Plains NY, 914-681-0659.
Father Igor will be accompanying the family here to Willowbrook Cemetery with an ETA of 12:15PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to one of Grace's favorite charities:
Audubon, Mystic Seaport, National Maritime Historical Society, National Wildlife Federation or The Nature Conservancy.