Sister Grace A. Knauber, an educator who served in Western New York and Puerto Rico, died Sept. 28, 2018, at the age of 91.
Born in Lancaster on July 23, 1927, Sister Grace entered the Franciscan order on Feb. 17, 1946, and was originally known in religious life as Sister M. Barbara Ann.
Sister Grace attended Canisus College and Rosary Hill College, both in Buffalo, earning a bachelor's degree in education and art in 1963. In 1971, she earned a master's in education from the University of Puerto Rico. In 1973, she achieved a certificate in English education from the University at Buffalo and an administrative certificate from Niagara University.
Sister Grace served as a teacher in various schools throughout the Diocese of Buffalo including St. James and St. Gerard in Buffalo, Most Holy Redeemer in Cheektowaga, SS. Peter & Paul in Hamburg, Nativity of Our Lord in Orchard Park, Fourteen Holy Helpers in Gardenville, St. Cecelia in Sheldon, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bowmansville, St. Leo in Amherst, and St. Aloysius in Springville. Sister Grace also spent over 20 years in education in Puerto Rico, where she loved teaching English as a second language.
Sister Grace is survived by two brothers, Robert and Roy, and two sisters, Joan Schmidt and Rita Hake. She is predeceased by her parents and one sister.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel, 201 Reist St., Williamsville, on Oct. 5, at 10:30 a.m. Interment is in Gethsemane Cemetery on the convent grounds.