Grace O'Toole

Grace Elizabeth (Saylor) O'Toole, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed into the arms of her maker, September 18, 2011. She was born August 14, 1923, in Leyden, ND, daughter of Charles F. and May E. (Camden) Saylor. Grace grew up and worked along side of her parents and brother Camden in their pharmacy, general store, post office and farm in Leyden. She graduated from Walhalla High School in 1940, and from Valley City State Teachers College in 1942. She taught her first year in the one-room Brushwood School, near Leyden, and later she taught first and second grade in Minto, ND.

The following two years, during World War II, Grace went to Washington DC to work in civil service, assigned to code-breaking for the War Department at the Pentagon. Before returning home, Grace spent a memorable summer studying and living with a family in Mexico City. The next year, while teaching elementary school in Walhalla, ND, her fellow teacher, Martha O'Toole (Kuhn), introduced Grace to Martha's brother, Joseph Arthur O'Toole, just back from France having served in WWII. They married April 10, 1947, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Crystal.

Grace was proud to become a new part of this large family, and the couple farmed together with Joe's brothers, and their families, Ed, Bobbie, Jack and Dick, in Crystal, Bathgate and Leyden. Joe and Grace raised their five children in Crystal. After many years as a devoted wife, mother and excellent homemaker, Grace taught in the Crystal School, teaching junior high and kindergarten, then serving for many years as the assistant librarian. She served eighteen years on the Pembina County Social Services Board. During retirement, as an enthusiast of continuing education, she attended seventeen Elderhostels.

Grace was a faithful convert to the Catholic Church and became a lifelong member of St. Patrick's, in Crystal, where she taught catechism and was active in the Altar Society. Her family meant everything to Grace and she instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of family, and encouraged family prayer time (FPT), a time set aside each morning and evening for the whole family no matter where they are, to focus on their family: "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in 1975, her parents, her brother Camden and his wife, Teola (Venne). Grace is survived by three daughters and two sons: Mary Grace (James) Weller, Colorado Springs, CO; Joseph, Crystal, ND; Catherine (Thomas) Morton, Louisville, KY; Alice (Richard) Poehls, Chapel Hill, NC; Peter, St. Paul, MN. She is survived by her eleven grandchildren: Jennifer Wild, Patrick Wild, James Weller, Camden O'Toole, Elizabeth Morton, Laura Morton, Samuel (Kate) Morton, Timothy Morton, August Poehls, Ande Poehls, and William Poehls; and her great grandson, Nathan Morton and step great-granddaughter, Madison Wolf Morton. Grace is also survived by her six Saylor nieces: Kathy Hines (Robert), Margaret Cudmore (Dean), Nancy Robinson (Dennis), Tully Schweitzer (Stanley), Susan Saylor, and Mary Lafferty (Terry), and their families; several O'Toole sisters- and brothers-in-law; many O'Toole nieces and nephews; and her devoted friend, Patricia Whelan. Grace enjoyed her final four years at the Borg Memorial Home where she was treated as family by wonderful caregivers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:00 A.M. Thursday September 22, 2011, for Grace, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Crystal, ND. Reverend Robert Pecotte will officiate. Honorary pallbearers are Grace's grandchildren. Interment will follow immediately at the Crystal Cemetery. Lunch will be served afterwards at the church. Visitation will take place at St. Patrick's from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. September 21, 2011 with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service. Arrangements will be done through Jensen- Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. If you wish to make a memorial gift the family prefers that donations be made to the Borg Memorial Home, Mountain, ND 58262, or the American Diabetes Association, rather than floral arrangements.