GRACE VITA (SUMMA) GANNON

Grace Vita Gannon, 93, of Las Vegas passed away on August 9, 2021. She was born on May 1, 1928, in Rome, New York. In 1950, Grace graduated from St. Lawrence University in New York, where she was an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. After moving to California in 1952, Grace met her husband, Richard, with whom she enjoyed 52 wonderful years until his death in 2007. Together, they lovingly raised three daughters. She later earned her lifetime teaching credential from California State University at Northridge. Grace taught at the elementary school level for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 11 years and was a substitute teacher for the Clark County School District for an additional 14 years. Upon retirement, she treasured her time spent with her grandchildren. In addition to her professional career, Grace served as a volunteer and officer in several organizations, including Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes in California and Nevada, Alpha Delta Pi alumnae clubs, St. Viator Catholic Church Women’s Guild serving as president, Panhellenic Alumnae, and Los Angeles St. Lawrence University Alumni Club. In her free time, Grace was an avid sports fan who especially enjoyed cheering on USC and UCLA football teams. She also enjoyed debating politics and playing bridge. Grace is preceded in death by her parents Lucy and Vito Summa, husband Richard J. Gannon, sisters Mamie Sonsini, Minnie Antonucci, Marie Malorzo, Lucy DeSalvo and granddaughter Brittany Grace York. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her children Mary Taylor, Colleen York with her husband Anthony, and Kathleen Gannon; grandchildren Justin Taylor with his wife Laura, Danielle Thomsen with her husband Peter, and Aaron Taylor; great-grandchildren Ryan, Benjamin and James Thomsen; brother-in-law Jimmy DeSalvo; and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held Sunday, August 22, 2021, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123. A funeral service will be celebrated on Monday, August 23, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 130 N. Pecos Rd., Henderson, NV 89074, followed by a committal service from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Palm Eastern Cemetery, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123. If you would like to make a donation in Grace’s name, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is a charity that was close to Grace’s heart.