Grace Vocale

Longtime Luna County resident Grace (Grazia) Panzone Vocale died May 14, at the home her husband built for their family more than 70 years ago. True to her name, she passed gracefully into that good night. She was 94.
Grace Panzone was born Aug. 19, 1915, to Michele Panzone and Angela Mastrovalerio in San Nicandro Garganico province of Foggia, Italy. After her formative schooling, Grace took sewing lessons from a tailor who taught her the fine art of detailing visible in the beautiful clothes Grace sewed for herself and later for her three daughters. When not in sewing lessons, Grace's mother taught her to make the crusty Italian bread that would serve as a hallmark of her cooking skills when she married and moved to Deming.
When Grace was 16, she and her future husband, Emanuel Vocale, began a long distance courtship through their mutual parents that would span five years and nine time zones. Although Grace had known Emanuel from childhood, neither had seen the other since Emanuel and his mother sailed for America in 1926 to join his father. The courtship resulted in a marriage celebrated in San Nicandro on Jan. 16, 1937. After their marriage, the couple planned to return to Deming together in April. But remaining in Italy became unsafe for Emanuel, now an American citizen traveling on a three-month visa. World War II was looming and Benito Mussolini was declaring all Italians the world over repatriated to serve in the Italian military. Emanuel left a heart-broken Grace two days before Mussolini's men came calling. A frightened Grace sailed to America alone in April.
Grace and Emanuel arrived in Deming by train at 10 in the morning on Apr. 28, 1937. They were met by Emanuel's parents Carmela and Nunzio (Nick) Vocale who, Grace later wrote, "Welcomed me into their arms, their home, their lives. My new life began." Through Emanuel's parents, Grace made many friends. Although she spoke not one word of English, she said she recognized friendship in the faces of Deming residents.
Soon Grace began wowing her new friends with her culinary skills. Her homemade crusty bread won friends near, far, and wide. Her pizza became legendary as "Grace's Pizza." With Grace's pizza and crusty Italian bread and Emanuel's homemade wine, husband and wife graciously entertained their friends in true Italian tradition. As the years passed, Grace and Emanuel continued to celebrate the relationships they enjoyed with their friends by delivering fresh fruit from their private orchard and fresh vegetables from their private garden.
Grace and Emanuel never forgot their friends. Whether their friends were ailing or whether they were aging, the couple always found time to visit their friends. Grace would take a little eggplant or a little zucchini and always, always her fresh bread. She and Emanuel maintained the tradition of food and drink and friendship their entire lives.
Despite her busy household, Grace was active in Garden Club where she displayed her beautiful irises and peonies. She was also active in Mimbres Hospital Auxiliary, Rotary Anns, Golden Gossip, P.E.O, and the Country Store bazaar at Holy Family Catholic Church.
Grace and Emanuel moved into their current home on the farm west of Deming in 1939. While Emanuel grew the farm operation, Grace managed the household. Both Emanuel and Grace stressed the value of education to their children and the gift of U.S. citizenship the children acquired by simply being born in the United States. The couple remained proud U.S. citizens and residents of Deming, Luna County, New Mexico throughout their lives.
Grace was preceded in death by infant son Nunzio, adult son Carl Emanuel, and beloved husband Emanuel.
She is survived by daughters Nellie Vocale Rabidoux (Ken), Gloria Vocale Moskowitz (Sy), and Mary Lou Vocale. Grandchildren Julie and John E. Janecka; David, Richard, and Sharon Vocale. Great grandchildren Ryan, Courtney, Bailee, and Drake Janecka; Richelle, Jada, and Cara Vocale; Gabriel and Diego Freire. Devoted sisters-in-law Rose Vocale Haferkamp (Hugh) and Anne Vocale Butterfield (Bernie). Nephews Nazarrio Vocale, Michele Di Maggio, and Michele, Matteo, and Antonio Cristino of Italy. Nieces Carmela Torella, Rosina Soccio, and Maria Sticozzi, of Italy. Niece Angelina Figliola of Australia.
Friends are invited to greet the family at 5 p.m. today at Baca's Chapel. Patricia Salesses will lead the Rosary immediately thereafter. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Thursday. Father Enrique Lopez Escalera will officiate. Concluding services and interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions in Grace's name to Mimbres Valley Hospice at 113 N. Pearl, Deming, N.M. 88030; and to Holy Family Catholic Church at 615 S. Copper St. Condolences may be addressed in care of 1830 Anderson Drive, Las Cruces, N.M. 88001.
Serving as pallbearers are Tommy Brdecko, Paolo D'Andrea, Don Hartman, Stanley Jackson, Tom Lindsay, and Jerry Zachek.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Golden Gossip members Jody McSherry, Gertrude and Geraldine Kretek, Sally Zachek, Genevieve Hyatt, Beverly Kostelnik, Mary Sweetser, Liz Davis, Katy Hofacket, Virginia Pool, Dona Irwin, Jacki Williams, Kathleen Cook, and Suzanne Lundy; and longtime friends Jan Sherman, Kathy Jackson, Helen Covey, Lauren Nunn, Sylvia D'Andrea, Linda Lindsay, Diane Stewart, Suzie Clark, Barbara Harrelson, Janette Smith, Kathy Von Ende, Jacki Williams, Jackie Davis, Cheryl Hartman, Dolores Hudgens, Sadie Mann, Sylvia Ligocky, Byron Reed, Russell Baker, Richard Barclay.
Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels. Exclusive provider for "Veterans & Family Memorial Care". To sign the online guest book or to send a card, please visit our website at www.bacasfuneralchapels.com. 811 S. Gold Ave., Deming, NM 88030. Phone: (575) 546-9671.