On June 15, 2020, Grace Marilyn (Richards) Pritchard received a birthday party invitation to the most glorious of birthday parties in honor of her mother. No RSVP required. Once there, she was welcomed by her mother, Ranifa and father, Harold. Grace was born August 7, 1943, in, Salvador, da Bahia, Brasil. She was the eldest of three children and enjoyed a life of tropical richness and world travel. Grace attended Kelly High School in Chicago and then moved on to California where she attended college. Upon returning to Brasil, she worked as an English instructor for the U.S. Information Agency and assisted as a Peace Corps test proctor. While attending a party, she happened to walk in the path of a young American's view by the name of Robert. Thus the beginning of a love affair, one that would see its trials and tribulations, successes, victories and would remain the picture of loyalty, commitment and undying love. Grace and Bob recently celebrated their 53-year wedding anniversary April 22. Grace and Bob had two daughters, Ana and Andrea. It has been said that their sense of style and witty and satirical banter was very much akin to their mom's. Through their mother, they learned that it's not the quantity of friends, but the quality that matters most; that perfection, while desired, is often never attained, no matter how perfect you think you are; and that through life it is imperative to stay true to one's self. Grace was well known as the picture-perfect vision of style and class. Her home was magazine-worthy. Her artistic talent and décor unmatched. Grace could take an orange polka-dotted shirt, a pair of obscenely patterned pants, chunky, glorious costume jewelry and make it look like she had just walked the runway at fashion week. As long as you had a scarf and a pair of orange Crocs, you were golden. Her cooking was beyond magical. Her talent for eating admired by her daughters their whole lives. She could have a plate full of three-week-old Chinese, sardines, some old pasta salad and make it look like the most amazing, mouth-watering feast. Throughout Grace's life, she battled many health issues. As a young girl in Brasil, she contracted rheumatic fever and because of this suffered from a heart ailment that required she have open heart surgery not once, but twice. The damage was such, that Grace was told she should never have children. Thank God she didn't listen to them. As life went on, she suffered through small strokes (always coming back from them) and a multitude of other ailments. Her husband, Bob, was an integral part in her rehabilitation. It is safe to say, she put her life in his hands many times and was very okay with that. She trusted no one else. Through this time, her daughters witnessed what it meant to be committed – heart and soul - to another person. Bob's caring and love got her through so much hardship and pain. Grace will be forever missed by her husband, Bob; daughters, Ana (Hoss) and Andrea (Steve); grandchildren, Hayden, Hannah, Robert (Alisha) and Elizabeth; Brody and Milo. Grace was soon-to-be a great-grandmother awaiting the arrival of Robert's daughter. She is further survived by her brother, Fred (Carol); sister, Ellen (Geraldo); in-laws and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held for family and friends at a later date. "Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move. Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love." William Shakespeare