Oct. 17, 1925 - Aug. 23, 2009

Eagle River resident Grace Angela Timiani, 83, died peacefully at home Aug. 23, 2009, surrounded by her family, after a nine-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

A viewing, Rosary and Mass of Christian burial was held Monday at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Eagle River. Grace's ashes will be returned to Italy at a later date.

Grace had lived in Alaska for the past nine years with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, who attended St. Andrews Catholic Church.

Grace was born Oct. 17, 1925, in Sicily. She was a professional seamstress in Reno, Nev., but later retired in Oklahoma.

Grace was the life of a party and always made friends wherever she traveled. She traveled to Italy, and enjoyed fixing big Italian meals for all her neighbors, family and friends. Most of all, Grace enjoyed dancing and singing with her granddaughters Darcy and Daniela Sparkman.

In 2000, Grace was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and moved to Alaska to be with her daughter, Dina Sparkman.

Her family wrote, "Dealing with Alzheimer's, Grace taught everyone the true power of love, compassion and faith. With her failing health, she was able to share God's love and Catholic faith with all who visited her. She was a wonderful mother, wife and loving grandmother. She had a great smile and possessed the gift of making people feel comfortable and at home. Her family will miss her dearly."

Grace is survived by her daughters, Dina Sparkman of Eagle River, and Marzia Ackernecht of Redding, Calif.; son, Giovanni Collacchioni of Tampa, Fla.; sisters, Lina Bernabini and Concettina; brother, Giovanni Crucetta of Modica, Sicily; and grandchildren, Darcy, Daniela, Ashley, Kylee and Nick.

Grace was preceded in death by her first husband, Amelio Collacchioni in 1963; and by her second husband, Manny Timiani in 1982.

Donations may be made to Catholic Social Services. Arrangements are with Anchorage Funeral Home.