Growing up in Howard Beach, NY, Peggy Hodnett attended and graduated from Our Lady of Grace, where she was taught by the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk. Armed with great faith and sense of service, Peggy discerned religious life and joined the congregation in 1950 at the age of 20. She was called to this teaching order because of her great love for children and, known as Sr. Mary Grace, embarked on a ministry as an elementary school teacher that spanned over two decades.

Sr. Mary Grace is remembered as an inspiring teacher during her time at Nativity BVM (Ozone Park, NY), Our Lady of Grace (Howard Beach, NY), and St. William the Abbot (Seaford, NY). Former students at St. William’s recall their time in her 1^st grade classroom with fondness, often mentioning the silly songs they learned and how she easily took command of her class of over 60 children and taught them to read before Christmas break.

Years later, seeing the great need within the parish for expanded social ministry, Sr. Mary Grace became the Director of Parish Outreach at St. William the Abbot, a position she held for 26 years. In this role, Sister oversaw the food pantry and instituted many social programs for the community. She worked closely with parish volunteers and members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was tireless in her support for the young families of the parish by creating opportunities such as Moms and Tots. Sr. Mary Grace also continued teaching in the parish’s Religious Education program until she retired in 2005.

In her “retirement” she, to the surprise of no one, continued her ministry. She volunteered at the parish of Maria Regina in Seaford, NY working with their senior citizens advocacy group and aided the other Sisters at Blue Point.

Known just as much for her famous quick-witted humor as for her selfless service to others, Sr. Mary Grace touched the lives and hearts of thousands of families. In 2020 she celebrated her 70^th Jubilee as an Ursuline Sister of Tildonk. Though the celebrations were postponed due to the pandemic, she joined the community in October 2021 to commemorate the occasion. She was called home to God on December 31^st after suffering a stroke days earlier.

Sr. Mary Grace will be buried privately though a public memorial mass and celebration of her life will be scheduled at a later date.

Watch Sr. Mary Grace's Memorial Mass