GRACE, Serafina N.

Serafina N. Grace June 28, 1929 - January 2, 2007 (Tia Numero Uno ~ Amazing Grace) J.C., the ruler of the world and general manager of the heavenly softball team announced the acquiring of Serafina at 11:00 A.M. on January 2, 2007 to lead his pitching squad. Serafina accepted readily surrounded by family and friends who began singing, "Amazing Grace". God said, "Fina, I need some pitching help." She responded, "give me a new lung and new legs and I promise you a championship." He responded, "follow me and you will be free of pain and suffering." She is joining Felipe and Elena Grace, her life long coaches, brothers, Philip II and Mac and sisters, Jessie Cummins and Helen Carlson who are presently playing in the infield. Niece, Kay-Kay Carlson Lawrence waits at the heavenly gates to welcome Serafina. Sisters, Mary Grace Herreras (Eddie), Edna Gabusi, Dina Carrillo Bolle (Ken Sr.) and Diane Carrillo still play for the earthly team; Nephews, Philip Grace III (Ruthann), Lt. Col. Rick Rivers (Deborah), Richard Grace (Melissa), George Grace, James Rivers, Jack Cummins II, Bob Carlson II, Tony Gabusi, Rick Gabusi (Cheryl), Ken Bolle Jr. (Stacie); and nieces, Lisa Herreras, Letti Johnson (Mark), Patricia Shelton (Tom), Betina Videtto (Dan), Sylvia Whitehouse (Michael), Grace Walker, Kerri Ann Rivers, Jessica Cummins, Nancy Jo Plocher (Lyle), Elena Marquez, Evan Grace, Mary Terry Strabala (Tommy), Karen Isom (Teddy), Melane Carlson (Felipe), Patricia Hurley (Ben) remain playing softball for the family team. 36 great-nieces and nephews are playing in the minor leagues. 23 great-great-nieces and nephews are playing triple A. Her four legged pals, Pepper and Chelli will miss napping with her. Serafina was a proud graduate of Borton Elementary, Safford JHS, THS class of '47, and U of A class of '62 and '69. She was a 1947 State Tennis Doubles Champion. Fina's honors and awards include city of Tucson Marble Champion - 1941, First female Patrol Captain at Safford JHS, THS Sports Hall of Fame, Pima County Sports Hall of Fame, State of Arizona Softball Hall of Fame, AIA Athletics Hall of Fame, Athletic Director of the Year, Sports Woman of the Year, and State of Arizona Fast Pitch Softball Championship. Serafina's outstanding fastball brought Tucson its first ASA fast pitch softball championship with the Sunshine girls in 1950. Fina played softball for the U of A from 1959-1962. She was very proud of the fact that during her three years at Arizona she never lost a softball game to A.S.U. Serafina received a U of A Presidential Academic Scholarship and a tennis scholarship in 1947. In 1948 she dropped out of school to support her family, working as a doctor's assistant to Dr. Thomsan and a keypunch operator for the Alianza and Pima County. She was a title examiner for Tucson Title and Arizona Land and Title for 10 years. For 25 years, she was an outstanding educator for TUSD. She taught P.E. and Health and coached tennis at Pueblo HS for 10 years. She was a Dean of Students at THS for three years, an assistant principal at Spring JHS for four years, a principal at Maxwell JHS, and assistant principal at Pueblo and Cholla. Serafina was an interim principal at Gale Elementary, Naylor JHS, and Peter Howell. Miss Grace's education philosophy was to teach students to replace an empty mind with an open one. She was enhanced as a person to have been touched by all her students and parents in each school where she worked. Serafina believed that making a living was an important form to receive and obtain many benefits, but it was more important to make a life from what she gave. Serafina was an awesome daughter, a fantastic sibling, a very gracious aunt and super friend. She was a superior woman who was modest in her speech, but exceeded in her actions. The Grace-Carrillo family is grateful to the medical guru - Dr. Jospeh Smith, who worked overtime to give Serafina a long, quality life for 18 years. Many thanks to Doctors Gallo, Citron, and Natrajan for giving of their expertise to keep Serafina well and allow her to travel extensively and attend all U of A softball and football games at home and away. A thousand standing ovations to Dr. Hadeli and the awesome dedicated nurses and staff at St. Joseph's ICU Unit East and emergency department, and Tucson Fire Department. Many thanks also to the caring staff at the Walgreens pharmacy at 22nd and Craycroft. Special thanks go to Father Al, Father Isaac, Father Alt, and Father Angelo for helping Fina prepare for her spiritual journey. Well good friend, we have watched you hit your last earthly homerun and as we watch you circle the bases for the last time we are praying that when you slide home, the heavenly father will call you safe. Visitation will be held Friday, January 12, 2007, from 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY (South Chapel), 240 S. Stone Ave., with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. T he Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. Donations in Serafina's honor may be made to the Santa Cruz Church playground renovation fund, 1220 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ. 85713. Arrangements by CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY, INC. Published in the Tucson on 1/7/2007.