Obituary of Grace Ehrlich

Grace Mary (Ingram) Ehrlich was born on May 5,1926, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to William and Clara Ingram. Grace Mary was proud of her Scottish and Norwegian heritage. She often shared fond memories of her grandfather, who was a violinist and composer in Scotland, and her Norwegian mother, who was the youngest school teacher in South Dakota. Grace inherited their keen intellect and artistic nature.

As a teenager, Grace worked for the rationing board during WWII. Always an adventurous spirit, Grace followed her oldest brother, George, to New Orleans and shared many stories of her time there. Eventually she moved near Dayton, Ohio where she met then Major Harold Ehrlich at the Wright-Patterson Air Force base. Harold and Grace were married in 1954 and soon moved to San Bernadino, CA. The Air Force later moved them to Miami, FL, where their first child, Adrienne, was born.

The family finally settled in Brighton, NY, where her children, Curt and Croft, were born. Harold and Grace raised their family in a home in the Evans Farm Tract neighborhood during the days when kids were sent outside to play happily with friends all day until dinner, and Halloween meant open garages with doughnuts and cider for all.  Grace made many lifelong friends wherever she lived and had a knack for making others feel welcome.

During adulthood, Grace worked as a bank clerk and a secretary. She also was very active with the Garden Center of Rochester. Grace loved gardening, Ikebana, and the Japanese tea ceremony. She stayed up late many nights to help her children and grandchildren through projects for school. Grace made frequent trips to the library and made sure everyone had plenty of books to read. She sewed clothes for her family and friends, made crafts, re-upholstered furniture, sculpted pottery, and found many other outlets for her creative and energetic spirit. That enthusiasm and creativity lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Grace had a witty sense of humor, exquisite taste, and was strong and generous until the very end. Even in her final days she wanted to know, “What can I do for you?”. Grace enjoyed treating her family to homecooked meals and restaurants for steak dinners. She loved helping with gardening, shopping, and being a part of any happy gathering, especially those involving ice-cream. Grace was a beautiful force of nature. Her life and spirit are an inspiration, and her company will be sorely missed.

Endless thanks to her loving aides at River Edge Manor: Joanne, Keyonna, Miriam, and Loretta. It was so obvious that you loved her, and she loved you too. Gratitude also for the amazing staff at REM, including Alison, Peggy, Rachael, and Jerry. We are forever grateful for your care of Grace and your devotion to her and her fellow residents. 

Grace is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Lt. Col. Harold Ehrlich, and her siblings, June, James, and George. Grace is survived by her children, Adrienne Ehrlich (Brenda Pitoni), Curt Ehrlich (Liesa), and Croft Ehrlich (Jenny) and her grandchildren, Gaven Ehrlich (Lauren), Alexandra Miller, Olivia Miller, Ingram Miller and Rebecca Ehrlich, and three great- grandchildren, Madeline, Anna, and Gabriel Ehrlich.

The family will hold a private service at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to River Edge Manor Resident Life Fund and sent to: ECH Foundation, 1570 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610.