Mary Grace Gillespie Wagner James

Mary Grace Gillespie Wagner James

Mary Grace Gillespie Wagner James (Grace) was born on February 12, 1962 to John J. Gillespie and Gayle Christopher Gillespie in Akron, Ohio. She resided in Shaker Square in Cleveland, Ohio which she strongly supported. She died at home on Shaker Square after a long illness surrounded by her family and friends.

Grace attended St. Edward Schools, Ursuline High School and graduated from the Villa Maria High School in 1980. Grace graduated from John Carroll University in 1984. Grace married Charles Wagner in Chicago, Illinois in 1990 and their daughter, Charlotte Wagner, was born in 1995. Grace was a person of kindness, creativity and empathy as her name implied. She was loved by her many families and friends from Youngstown, Cleveland, Chicago and around the world. She will be missed.

Grace began her writing and editorial career working for Hearst Magazine/Colonial Homes in New York City from 1985 to 1987. From 1998 through 1990, Grace was as Public Relations Manager for the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts in Chicago, Illinois. From 1990 through 2003, Grace was the Senior Editor and writer for Penton Media Lodging Hospitality Magazine in Cleveland, Ohio.

Taking time to care for her family, Grace returned to work as the Financial News Editor for Nock Inc. from 2005 through 2008. Grace finished her career as a Marketing and Communications Specialist for BDI In Cleveland, Ohio from 2011 through 2022.

Grace leaves her father, John J. Gillespie of Pawleys Island, South Carolina and formerly of Youngstown, Ohio, daughter, Charlotte and her husband Carl James, at home in Shaker Square, sister  and brother-in-law, Maureen and Dana Arneman and her niece Anne Arneman  and nephew Tom Arneman and his wife Molly Arneman all in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, her sister Sheila Shorr in Santa Barbara, California and her daughter Grace Rose Shorr in London, England and sons Jake Shorr in London, England and son Atticus Shorr in Santa Barbara, Californina and sister Caroline (Carrie) Morse and sons Patrick Morse and Joseph Morse of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Grace also leaves her nephews, Colin Williamson, Jack and Christopher Gillespie of Youngstown, sons of her late brother, John. Grace also leaves her many uncles, aunts and cousins in the Christopher and Gillespie families in Youngstown, Cleveland, Florida, and across the country.

Grace was predeceased by her brother, John J. Gillespie, Jr., her mother, Gayle Christopher Gillespie, and her grandparents John Gillespie and Agnes (McCarty) Gillespie and Grace (Rochford) and John A. Christopher all of Youngstown, Ohio.

Father Tom Fanta will celebrate Mass at St. Dominic Church, 19000 Van Aiken Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44122 at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.  Friends and family may be received from 10:00 am to 10:45 am before the Mass at St. Dominic. The funeral Mass will be live streamed at stream@stdominicchurch.net

In lieu of flowers contribution can be made to Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute, 13101 Shaker Square, Cleveland, OH 44120 or the Morgan Conservatory, 1754 E 47th St, Cleveland, OH 44103 or St. Dominic Church, 19000 Van Aiken Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44122 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the funeral home website www.mccauleyfuneral.com

Arrangements by The McCauley Funeral Home - Youngstown

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