Grace Schut

Grace Wilhelmina Schut

Resident of Sunnyvale

Grace was born October 17, 1922 on Staten Island, New York, and passed away October 8, 2010 in Sunnyvale, California. She was the youngest daughter of Elizabeth and Cornelius Schut. Grace lived most of her life on Staten Island, where she made a home with her sister Marie. She was a member of the Castleton Hill Moravian Church on Staten Island, and sang in the choir for many years. She graduated from Hunter College in 1943 and from Columbia University in 1947 with a Master's Degree in history.

On October 1, 1947 Grace began her life's work at St. Peter's College in Newark, New Jersey, eventually becoming Head Librarian. At St. Peter's her colleagues recall with fondness enjoying her not just for library help but for her good humor and conversation. During her time there she assisted many scholars, published her own scholarly work about the history of New Jersey, and taught history. Grace was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Library Association. She retired from St. Peter's on April 1, 1993.

Grace was dedicated to scholarship and books. Her home and car (including her beloved VW beetle "Brunhilde") were always filled with books and the papers she was working on. She enjoyed reading on many subjects, particularly history and archaeology, as well as the classics and British murder mysteries. She loved music, particularly opera and Mozart.

One of Grace's great passions was travel. She and her sister Marie travelled the world visiting historic and archaeological treasures, including Egypt, Turkey, Japan, Peru, and many European countries. Their favorite destination was Turkey. A true New Yorker, she was a lifelong season ticket holder at the Metropolitan Opera, a visitor to all the museums, and a dedicated reader of the New York Times. She loved the bustling city, with its culture and diversity. She was on the board of directors of the Hunter College Scholarship and Welfare Fund for 28 years until moving to California when she became an honorary member until her death. Through those years she held the post of almost every officer and funded 4 scholarships.

In 1997 Grace and her sister moved to Sunnyvale to be nearer family when Marie became ill. In spite of the challenges of in her new life in California she continued to draw friends to her with her intelligence and her humor. She cared for her sister, volunteered at the public library, became involved in a Shakespeare study group, and spent time with her nieces and nephews.

Grace is pre-deceased by her parents and her sisters Marie and Dorothea. She is survived by her niece Barbara Widelitz (Randy), and nephew Phil Hall (Kim), three grand-nephews and a great-grand nephew and niece.

A celebration of Grace's life is being held at 3 pm November 27, 2010, at St. John's Lutheran Church 581 E. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale by family and friends who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hunter College Scholarship and Welfare Fund and The Friends of the Sunnyvale Library.