On the afternoon of October 15, 2021, Gracelyn Marra Bax, age 71, while in the loving embrace of her family, turned her beautiful face toward God and His angels carried her into heaven.  She was the daughter of the late Dr. Peter J. and Sarah R. (Graci) Marra.

Grace, a gifted student, received her high school diploma from Lewiston-Porter and her BA in Education/Foreign Language from NU in only 6 years.  On July 12, 1969, she married the love of her life, Alfred J. Bax at St. Joseph's Church in Niagara Falls.   In 1970 the couple moved to the south to pursue AJ's medical education at FSU and Emory University.  They returned to WNY for AJ's surgical residency which was completed in 1979 and by which time they had been blessed by all three of their children.

Grace then worked with AJ as his surgical office manager for 10 years.  This allowed her the flexibility to focus on raising her young family, an endeavor she was passionately devoted to.  Once satisfied that her children's developmental foundation was set, she rekindled her passion for education.  She earned her MS in Education from Niagara University and joined the Foreign Language Department at Lewiston-Porter.  During her tenure, she was selected for a scholarship to further her language studies in Salamanca, Spain. She was also recognized as an outstanding teacher by the NYS Education Department by admission to the NYS Academy of Teaching and had several of her unique teaching plans published.  Grace continued to shape many young lives with her kind yet firm nature until she retired in 2012.

In her pre-illness years, Grace never stopped moving and was at the gym 3 days a week.  She was an avid skier and loved to roller skate, hike and most recently road bike.   Grace seemed to be able to do or make anything.  She loved gardening.  She could sew, crochet, and knitted more scarves for her grandchildren than one could count.  She did ceramics and made beautiful dried flower arrangements and custom wreaths.  In quiet moments, she would put pen to paper or put down beautiful and poignant writings on her computer.  Our family was accustomed to finding her notes on anything that would accept ink, including toilet paper.  After retirement, Grace began to draw and then picked up a paintbrush and began producing amazing art gallery quality paintings which now adorn the homes of her children.

To her family Grace was the center of their universe, their alpha and omega.  She was an unlimited source of love, compassion, understanding and faith.  It was she that family and friends would confide in or seek out to be comforted.  She was a beautiful and vibrant spirit that passionately engaged life, always ready to laugh, sing or dance the jitterbug that she loved so much.  She was deeply spiritual and devoted to St. Padre Pio and drew immense strength and fortitude from her faith in the Lord.  Her capacity for love, compassion and caring seemed limitless even in the face of her illness.  She cherished her Italian heritage, family togetherness and our Sunday family dinners.  She was insanely proud of each and every one of her 11 grandchildren and would be at every concert, game or play possible and when it came time for the applause, there was no question that Grace was in the audience. She was our Amazing Grace, seeing the beauty in everything and everyone while creating beauty wherever she went.  Though the pain of her absence seems insurmountable, she promised to be with us always and she instructed us that if we live life to its fullest, love one another, help others and remain faithful in Jesus Christ we will heal.

In addition to her husband of 52 years, Dr. A.J. Bax, Gracelyn is survived by her children, Alfonso Marra Bax, Esq. (Jennifer), Dr. Sarina Bax DeBiaso (Mario), and Dr. Graci Marra Bax; her grandchildren Colin E. Hanns, Connor E. Hanns, Madelyn Grace Bax, Alfred J. (A.J.) Bax, Samuel D. Bax, Mario J. Bax DeBiaso, Santino Bax DeBiaso, Luca Bax DeBiaso, Marcello Julian Granata, Valentino Grayson Granata, Graciela Rosaria Granata; her sisters, Maria (late Anthony) Aversa, Sandy (Dr. Frank) Altieri, and Deborah Marra, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will be forever grateful to the Mt. St. Mary's ICU staff for the exceptionally kind and compassionate care they provided.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 22 from 3 – 7 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304.  Gracelyn's Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 23 at 10 AM at St. Peter's R.C. Church, 620 Center Street, Lewiston, NY 14092.  Everyone please assemble at church.  Entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made in Gracelyn's honor to The Gracelyn Marra Bax Foundation ( Gracelyn Marra Bax Foundation Donation Link ) for the promotion of excellence in Palliative Care.   Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.