Grace A. Pierce

Grace A. Pierce (nee Merlino), age 77, of Elm, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, June 24, 2021. She was the beloved wife of Alvin Pierce; Dear mother of Patti Shaw, Susan Finocchiaro, Jim Murray, and Kathleen DiGiovanni; Loving grandmother of Steven Shaw, Justine Moxford, Roman Finocchiaro, Anna DiGiovanni, and Luke DiGiovanni, and adoring great grandmother to Wyatt, Weston, and William; Dear sister of Anthony Merlino, Patricia Perrin, and Kathy Cipollone. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Grace was predeceased by her former husband Burchard Murray, sisters Mary Swain and Darlene Lo, and her grandson Rylan Finocchiaro. Grace was born in Atlantic City to the late Elizabeth Headley and Alfred Merlino. She graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1961. Grace especially enjoyed making memories with her family and close friends. Her hobbies included creating many types of crafts, and she was quite talented in knitting and crocheting. She loved knitting newborn hats and delivering them to the hospital. Grace and Alvin shared many adventures traveling on their motorcycle and in their RV exploring countless destinations. She will be forever missed and will be remembered for the life she lived “Gracefully.” Services will be held privately at LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ. Entombment to follow at Berlin Cemetery. Condolences may be shared on Grace’s tribute wall. In remembrance of Grace’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the American Heart Association.