Grace Fachorn Ison
1937-2015
Grace Fachorn Ison passed away peacefully on the 7th of September 2015 in Houston, Texas surrounded by her sons, Scot and Stuart. Grace was a loving and devoted wife to Don, her husband of 55 years. She will be remembered by her friends and family for her unwavering faith, loyal friendship, fierce determination in the face of any obstacle, and most of all her love and zest for life. She was proud of her Italian heritage and brightened others’ spirits with her enthusiasm, laughter and of course the famous Italian meals she shared with many.
Grace was born in Hearne, Texas on the 28th of August 1937 to John Lewis Fachorn and Lula Cash Fachorn. She was raised along with her brother, Ned Lewis Fachorn, on her family farm outside of Hearne in the Brazos Bottom. She graduated from Hearne High School where she was a drum majorette and was crowned Queen of the Alfalfa Fiesta in1954. Grace formed many lifelong friendships during the years she attended the University of Houston where she studied Elementary Education. She married Don, the love of her life, in 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hearne. They settled in Houston to raise their boys and together were passionate and energetic sports fans, spending many happy hours as fixtures on the sidelines watching their sons and grandchildren compete.
Grace was a member of The Houston Junior Forum, her beloved Italian Club Donne di Domani, and a board member of the Friends of Nursing. She was an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. Grace was most proud of her association and involvement with the Houston Aphasia Recovery Center (HARC). She was a founding board member of HARC and worked tirelessly to raise money and awareness of the center.
Grace is predeceased by her parents and brother. She is survived by her husband Donald Edward Ison and son, Donald Scot Ison, his wife Melissa, and grandchildren Carroll Mclemore Ison and William Scot Ison; her son Stuart Edward Ison, his wife Kristi, and grandchildren Olivia Stuart Ison and Benjamin Edward Ison. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Janice Ison Webb, her husband Henry as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the doctors and nursing staff of both M.D. Anderson Hospital and Houston Hospice, in particular, Dr. Nitin Jain, for their passionate and steadfast care.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056. Reverend Monsignor Frank H. Rossi, S.T.L. officiating at 10:00am on Friday, the 11th of September. A Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will begin at 9:30am.
The family requests with gratitude that any memorial contribution in Grace’s memory be directed to Houston Aphasia Recovery Center, 3701 Briarpark Drive, Suite 310, Houston, Texas, 77042 or to the charity of your choice.