Grace Ann (Aikens) Sauro

Grace Ann Sauro, 78, passed away at War Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family on Thursday afternoon, March 24, 2016. She was born on October 1, 1937 on Sugar Island, Michigan, the daughter of Wilfred and Genevieve Aikens. She thoroughly enjoyed life and loved being surrounded by family and friends. Grace married the love of her life, William J. Sauro, on February 4, 1956. She was a joyful and caring mother, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Grace was employed as the housekeeping supervisor for the Ramada Inn hotel and retired after many years of service. Grace loved to go to bingo with her friends, Melva and Geraldine and travel to the casinos with her family and friends. She looked forward to Tuesday night poker, Thursday night cribbage and Louie’s bus tours. She was an active member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Algonquin Cribbage league. She had been a member of Merry Menders Sewing Club. She was the former president of the women’s bowling and ladies cribbage leagues. Grace and her niece, Joanie Aikens, loved to watch WWE wrestling on Sunday nights together and everyone was welcome to come join the fun. She had a big heart and her dog, Scrappy, never left her side. She also enjoyed having family and friends around, even just for a cup of coffee or a quick card game, she was always smiling. Grace is survived by her sons: Tom (Mary), Willie (Kim) and Daniel Sauro and daughters (and very special friend Stacey Mills) : Bonnie Hart (Roy Hammonds) and Nancy (Richard) Reining. Grace is also survived by her grandson, Kenneth (Amanda) Hart, who she raised. Grace is the grandmother of Matt and Chelsea Sauro, Justin Menard and Jennifer (Caleb Cook), Joseph, Jason, Jocelyn Emma, Julianna Menard-Sauro, Nathan (Christina), Allen, (Amanda Louricas), Samantha (Derrick Parr) Sauro and Abigail Reining. Grace’s greatgrandchildren are Bryan, Ella, Jayvyn, Cameryn, Alexis, Keeton, and Wyatt. Survived by her brothers: Bernard, Walter (Cooz), Louie (Judy), Paul (Mary Beth), and Ted (Laura) Aikens. Sisters: Loretta (Bill) Smith, Dorothy Gervais, May (Slim) Lockhart, and Fauncy (Skee) Sawasky. Also surviving Grace is brother in-law Thomas (Joyce) Sauro and Marilyn Levan, also God children Midge Dow, Sandy Sauro, Leo Berkland and Tony Sauro. She will be missed by many cousins, nieces, and nephews that she loved dearly. Grace was predeceased by her husband William Sauro and her parents Wilfred and Genevieve Aikens. She was also predeceased by her grandchildren Brian Thomas and Jillian Marie Sauro. She was predeceased by her siblings Lillian (Jean) Perrault, Leo, Glen, and Leonard Hatch, Merlin (Speedy) Aikens, Evelyn Berkland, Viola Thompson and Raymond Gervias. In laws, Joe( Betty), Loren (sookie) , Mike ( Donna), Jim(Bev), Shirley, Marsha, Grace, Madeline Sauro, Jackie(Gerv) Winger and Ken Levan. Also God children Daryl Lockhart and Brent Aikens. There will be a viewing at Clark Bailey Funeral Home March 29 from 2:00 pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00 with prayers at 7:30 pm. The funeral will be held at St. Isaac Jogues at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 with burial to follow at Oakland Chapel Gardens. Luncheon will follow at Christopher Columbus Hall. Memorial contributions may be left to EUP Special Olympics.

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Grace Ann (Aikens) Sauro

October 1, 1937 - March 24, 2016