May 31, 2007

Calumet

Grace Ivey

Grace Christine Ivey, 89, of Calumet, passed away at the Omega House hospice Thursday, May 31, 2007, following a short illness. She was the daughter of Mary and Peter Hammes, and was born in Calumet on July 8, 1917. She attended local schools, graduated from the Calumet High School in 1934, and in 1938 graduated from the University of Michigan. Armed with a degree in English literature and a teaching certificate, Grace began her career as a multi-grade teacher at the Eagle River School. She later taught in other Michigan school systems, including those in Clarenceville, Hancock, Houghton, and Brooklyn. She spent the last 17 years of her career in the English Department of the Calumet High School, helping to hone the reading and writing skills of hundreds of young residents of the Keweenaw district.

On February 6, 1943, in Detroit, she married William Ivey; several years later they returned to the Upper Peninsula and became a popular and well-known area couple. He preceded her in death in 1994. She was also preceded in death by her parents and three older brothers.

Surviving are:

A daughter: Mary Ivey (Charles Del Signore) of Schenectady, NY

A son: Bill Ivey of Nashville, TN

A grandson: Gabriel Ivey Del Signore of Schenectady, NY

A niece: Jackie Lacy of Indianapolis, Indiana

A nephew: Jay Enrietti of Calumet

Two great-nieces: Amelia Lacy of Indianapolis
Lis (Greg) Metz of Dallas, TX

Various cousins

At the request of the deceased, cremation immediately followed her passing. In lieu of flowers or other recognitions, the family requests donations to the Omega House (hospice) 2211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931, or the Copper Country Humane Society 47375 Nara Park Rd.
Houghton, MI 49931. The Erickson-Crowley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangments.