Grace E. OleknaGrace died Dec. 1 , 2016 at 1:30 Pm at 96 years 105 days of age in Independence Manor, Flemington, NJ, succumbing to advanced age. Grace was born August 19, 1920 in Brightwell, East Suffolk, England to Robert Sheringham and Mabel E. Dickerson. After she attended primary and secondary schools, she went to Colchester to train to become a registered nurse specializing in special needs care. World War ll began and all job positions were frozen until the war ended, thus she stayed in her position as a student nurse performing required duties of caring for mentally handicapped patients. Her vivid stories of V1 & V2 rockets and dogfights between Spitfires & Messerschmitts in the skies over London will always be memorable to those who heard them. During the war she met John Olekna of Orson, PA, who was stationed in England while serving as a "Radio Man" *** in the US Army Air Corp 8th Air Force. John and Grace were married on April 9, 1945 in Ilford, England. They spent their honeymoon in Torquay, on the southwestern British coast. John returned to the USA on September 6, 1945. Grace came to the USA on the Queen Mary, landing at NYC March 1, 1945. John and Grace owned and operated a small Texaco gas station and auto repair in Orson, PA until 1954. John, his father Michael Olekna, and other friends built their house on 14 Dillon St. from 1954-1955 on a lot purchased from Duane and Helen Rood. Although she loved her home and family in Hancock, Grace was always truly British at heart. Grace returned to England many times up until 2000. She retained her British citizenship until her death, requesting this epitaph: "Here Lies A True Brit". Grace was an avid gardener and golfer for most of her adult life. For more than fifty years, Grace led an active life in the pursuit of her religious beliefs at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Hancock, serving on the Altar Rosary Society and many other church groups and functions. God, Jesus, and Mary were always #1 in Grace's life. Grace's husband John died August 8, 1993. She is survived by her only child, David John Olekna, of Clover Hill, NJ; a granddaughter, Michelle Olekna, of Freehold, NJ, a nephew, John Wales, living in England; and a nephew, Brian Buttle, living in Australia.Grace had many close friends in the USA and overseas. Many have predeceased her, but those who remain will fondly remember the time they spent with Grace golfing, sharing a meal, talking, gardening, or singing, praying and worshipping God at Mass or other services.***(early term for Air Traffic Controller) A short viewing time will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 from 10-10:30 at the Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 11AM at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Hancock, NY. Burial will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to The Nature Conversancy or Charity of Your Choice. Arrangements by Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock. SERVICES Viewing Wednesday, December 7, 2016 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel 29 EAST MAIN STREET HANCOCK, New York 13783 Mass Wednesday, December 7, 2016 11:00 AM St. Paul's Church 346 W. Main St Hancock, NY 13783