Grace was born and raised on the family farm in Martin, Michigan to John Norris and Ruth Margaret (Baughman) Norris. She graduated from Martin High School in 1948 and while living with her half-sister in Augusta, Michigan, she met Donald G. Hollaway and they were married in 1949. They went on to have 5 children.
Growing up during the Great Depression instilled in her the strength and resilience to raise her family on a limited income. She enjoyed sewing clothes for the family, crocheting, doing puzzles, and most of all reading.
She loved telling stories of the years after her children were grown when she delivered motorhomes across the U.S. and Canada and then later years traveling with her husband after moving to Arizona.
During her travels one of her enjoyments was researching family genealogy – especially the Norris family who came from New York in 1838 and settled nearly 500 acres in Yankee Springs Twp where her father was born in 1870.
After 25+ years living in Arizona, she decided she wanted to live in Michigan again. Thankfully she had nearly a year to enjoy the different seasons of her home state once more.
Grace is survived by her sister Minnie Wesseling, three sisters-in-law, who she considered sisters, and her children, Gaila L. (Richard) Mallery of Traverse City, MI, Donald C. (Lucia) Hollaway of South Bend, IN, Kathryn F. (Patrick) Dittmer of Foresthill, CA, and Joel C. (Wendy) Hollaway of Newcastle, CA. Also, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, her son, David A. Hollaway age 64, one brother and one sister, plus one half-brother and three half-sisters.
Due to cancer, Grace died peacefully in the compassionate care of Munson Hospice.
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