Nona Rae Grace, 91, of Heppner, OR passed away on April 21, 2014 in Kennewick, WA at the Hospice at the Chaplaincy.

Nona Grace was born May 7, 1922 in Hardman, OR, to Pirl and Verna McCarty Howell. Her Mother was a school teacher in Burton Valley, commuting from Hardman on horseback. Her mother taught Nona for the first several years of grade school.

She graduated from high school in Pendleton, OR and returned to Heppner, working as secretary to Heppner School District for several years, then moved to Eugene OR, and attended University of Oregon.

After Pearl Harbor she joined Oregons Citizens Defense Corps. Later in the war, she was offered a civilian position at Marine Attack Squadron VMA 214, in Goleta, CA near Santa Barbara, working with notables such as Col. Greg Pappy Boyington, and American Fighter Ace Joe Foss. After the War she worked as a law clerk in Santa Barbara, where she married William Sowell. Her daughter Marsha was born on May 21, 1949. The couple relocated to Heppner, where the marriage ended. Nona then worked for Heppner School district, and later Heppner Pine Mills, which eventually became Kinzua Corp.

In 1975 she married Ray Grace, also of Heppner. During the following years they traveled extensively, as Ray worked in the Middle East, South America, and the Pacific, including 9 years in Hawaii. Nona loved to travel, and they visited many different nations. In 1995 they retired home to Heppner, to spend some time with the children and grandchildren, although they still traveled at least once a year until recently.

Nona loved deer and elk hunting, as did her parents. Her biggest bull was a three-point. She dearly loved to travel, seeing many countries and meeting many ethnic people groups. Her home became a showplace of special items to remind her of her travels. She loved working in her yard and garden, and was especially fond of roses. She passionately loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Nona is survived by her husband, Ray Grace; son-in-law, Greg Sweek; grandson, Ian Sweek of Boise, ID; granddaughter, Talia Spencer of Boise, ID; stepson, Clay Grace of Albany, OR and there great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pirl and Verna Howell' sister, Wanda Boland and her daughter Marsha Sweek.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Heppner, OR. A graveside service will be held at 11:00am at the Heppner, Masonic Cemetery in Heppner, OR.

Donations may be made to the Willow Creek Terrace in Heppner, OR.