Grace Elizabeth Sprague

Grace is now a proud member of the ‘Celestial Choir’ after passing peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on August 10th, 2026. She was born in Waterloo, NY on April 30th, 1931, to Vernon and Vera Alling, the youngest daughter of their eight children. She often told stories of their parlor being magically transformed into a music room, where her instrument was her voice. She attended Waterloo High School until she transferred her junior year to Ithaca High School. She loved singing in the Presbyterian Choir, which was made up of the Ithaca College Choir and the Cornell Men’s Glee Club. Music brought her so much joy throughout the course of her life. Then as the fates would have it, she met the love of her life Dick Sprague, a courtship that lasted forever. They were married on August 4th, 1951, and when asked when they became engaged she replied “probably when we met.”

She loved sharing stories of spending summers and holidays on Canandaigua Lake at her grandmother’s home. Nothing was more important to her than her family. You could always find her on the sidelines, proudly cheering on her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was blessed to live to 95 years young, loving on her six children, 18 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren, as well as being an aunt to 63 nieces and nephews. She was empathetic, witty, and unintentionally funny. These were just a few of her endearing qualities for which she will be greatly missed.

Grace is predeceased by her husband Richard Sprague, her parents Vera and Vernon Alling, as well as her seven brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children Thomas (Denise Shepard) Sprague, Monica (Thomas) O’Brien, Elizabeth (Lawrence) Casey, Theresa (Dennis) Murray, Margaret Sprague, Daniel (Mary Pat) Sprague, and (Nancy) Sprague. She is also survived by her grandchildren Shannon (Daniel) Lennox, Brian (Jenna) Sprague, Dennis (Abby) Murray, Meaghan (Nick) Romeo, Courtney (Jon) Brown, Casey (Dillon Auvenshine) Murray, Kira (Chris) Shanahan, Tricia (Jamar) Speight, Colin (Diana) Sprague, Michael Sprague, Conor (Jozy) O’Brien, Brennan Sprague, Molly (Derek) Crowder, Cullen (Kaeli) Casey, Patrick (Lydia) Casey, Daniel Sprague, Kevin Sprague and Brian Casey. As well as her 18 great-grandchildren.

A huge thank you to all of her caregivers over the last several years, but especially Monica, Tom, Theresa and Denny, as well as her granddaughter Shannon in her final days.

Visitation will take place on Saturday August 29th, 2026 from 2-4pm, service to follow at 4pm at New Comer Funeral Home, 2636 Ridgeway Ave. Burial services will be held at a future date at West Hill Cemetery in Ithaca, NY.

In ‘lieu of flowers’ please consider a donation to Pluta Cancer Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.