Sister Mary Grace (Donna) Cozzoli

Sister Mary Grace (Donna) Cozzoli

Sister Mary Grace (Donna) Cozzoli was called home by our Lord into His eternal peace on January

24, 2021.  Born on January 19, 1955, in North Plainfield, New Jersey, she was the youngest daughter of

Joseph and Martha Cozzoli.

Sister Mary Grace was the woman her name personified in many ways. A caring sister, a loving child

to her parents, a dedicated servant of her faith, she exemplified a life of service and love. She

entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in 1989. 

In her early years in the congregation, she worked in pastoral care and day care, then for

retired priests in New Jersey and Nebraska. Eventually, after her work in the household of the

Archbishop of St. Louis, she was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., where

she accepted the office of Sister-In-Charge. During her six years there, she was privileged to host

Pope Francis when he visited and stayed at the residence. When she returned to St. Francis

Convent in Alton, she served as Sacristan before being appointed local Superior in 2020. 

Her travels over the years, both in this country and abroad, enriched her life and profession,

but her devotion--her grace—came from her heart. Her fine wit and sense of humor carried her

through her life and her many missions for the church. From childhood on, some of her happiest

times were shared with her large, close-knit family, including her grandparents and many generations 

of aunts, uncles and cousins, at the shore.

Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother, Frank J Cozzoli. She leaves behind her

religious community, her sisters Joan Rooney and husband Tom of New Jersey and Carol Zmuda

and husband Henry (Deacon), of Florida. She will pass on her grace to her nieces and nephews,

Joanna Barros-Wing, Elizabeth Barros, Nancy Barros Hindle, Michael Barros, Joseph Cozzoli, Mary

Grace Zmuda, Seann Rooney, Tim Rooney and Kris Rooney, and her grand-nieces and nephews,

Mikaela, Beatrice, Anna, Mary, Nico, James, Benjamin, Elijah, Nathan, Wyatt, Fergus and Liam.

She will also be remembered fondly by her aunt, Sadie DiLiddo, and her many cousins, who were

close to her.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at St. Mary’s Church, Alton, 

Illinois, followed by the burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The mass may be viewed online at

https://m.facebook.com/stmarysalton. [You needn't be a Facebook member to view it.]

The family asks that memorials be made to: Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, St.

Francis Convent, One Franciscan Way, P.O. Box 9020, Alton, IL 62002. Please specify “Adoration

Chapel” or “Masses”.

Aunt Sadie received this lovely card from her just a few days before Donna died...