By Barbara Srozenski, SC
Sister Grace Henke has been a Sister of Charity for over sixty-five years. She attended Catholic schools in the Bronx and Manhattan, which is where she first met the Sisters of Charity. Their example of kindness, prayerfulness, and service led her to enter the Community in 1951. She began her ministry as a student nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan. After earning her BSN and MSN, she worked in the wards of the hospital serving the poor. Sister Grace cherishes these years as exciting, challenging and fulfilling the mission of the Sisters of Charity—to serve all in need, especially the poor.
In 1963 the focus of her nursing changed and she was asked to teach in the St. Vincent’s School of Nursing. Topics included Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Physics and Pharmacology. During this period Sr. Grace also received an EdD degree from Columbia University and authored Med-Math; Dosage Calculation, Preparation, and Administration, which went into five editions.
In 1982 she was appointed an adjunct professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent where she taught Pharmacophysiology and Medical Ethics while still serving on the Ethics Committee at Saint Vincent’s Hospital. When the school of nursing closed in 1999, Sr. Grace responded to a different need and was certified as an ombudsman by the New York State Office of the Aging, skills she used as a pastoral minister at a local senior citizen’s residence. In addition, she taught ESL classes (English as second language) at the Sisters of Charity Center and at Casa Esperanza in Yonkers.
Now residing at the New Jewish Home ALP, a retirement home for the Sisters of Charity, Sr. Grace continues her ministry of service and care for the Sisters, mindful of and grateful to God and the community for the graces which have sustained her through the years.
Sr. Grace has always been incredible in all she does. I was so fortunate to have her as my pharmacology professor.. Hope to see her soon! xo MaryJane Blaney
What a wonderful tribute to this wonderful lady. I first met her when I was a Freshman at St. Vincent’s. She taught us Anatomy and Physiology. I am privileged to know her all these years.
I love this photo of you, Sr. Grace! Your eyes sparkle with that eager inquisitiveness, and your smile shows how much you enjoy life! You are a gem! xoxo Jean
One of the best nursing educators I was privileged to have as a student at St Vincent s Hospital , School of Nursing. She also has a great sense of humor
Sr. Grace lived upstairs from my room in the Nurse’s Residence. I will forever remember the entertaining manner in which she delivered her “pearls.” She taught me so much. Forever grateful..
i loved Sister Grace! she was so funny and smart and actually made pharmacphysiology fun!
love her! i still have her book!
Sister Grace one of the best. She taught Pharm and was a force to be reckoned with! We knew our stuff! Thank you Sr Grace.
She also caught my roomie and me watching SNL on late night tv and laughing hysterically. Apparently we woke her up- never did that again.
God Bless You Sister Grace will never forget the education I got from
SVHSON Class of 1973
Sister Grace was the FIRST Educator to break thru my Math phobia and opened me up to a new world!! Her Med for Math class proved to be a game changer for me and I used her words, calculations (boy I’ll NEVER forget “WANT OVER HAVE”) and her kind heart, in my practice for the last 20 years.
THANK YOU Sister Grace, for your dedication, enthusiasm and most, for your kindness and love. You e changed lives and I am Blessed to have been educated by you.
My Love Always,
Sheryn Silvestre RN
God bless you Sister Grace! An incredible teacher that shared not only her knowledge but also shared her love for all who she taught! You were a gift to us!! Thank you!!!!
Sr, Grace Henke has been a powerful and compassionate force for good all her life in many roles. She is also a keen and realistic observer of the contradictions which exist
in modern life and the teachings of Christ.
I am happy to call her my cousin and send her my love.
The Girls of our class of 57. The Mental Health Support Group send our love!!
Dear Sister Grace,
As I can see you have touched so many lives in such a positive way. I think of you so often and how you helped make so many wonderful memories for all our family, including this little girl [now 60 years old!!] Your lively spirit and fun loving personality certainly led to many memorable moments here at the lake. I wanted to say thank you for being the wonderful person that this little girl remembers so dearly. I miss you and hope to see you soon.
All my love,
Patti Becker Goor
Her love, laughter and wisdom permeates the room. She fills my life with joy and comfort knowing her prayers to God always have me and the world in mind.
God bless!!!
Thank you Sister Grace for being the great person you are. I have gained much in knowing you. God bless you always. Sr, Sheila Mary
Sister Grace—
Thank you for touching so many lives, including mine and overcoming learning issues to understand pharmacology. You have a wonderful sense of humor. When I got sick at school with Meningitis all my teachers helped me to be successful during such a scary time. I am forever grateful for the knowledge you instilled in me. I have been teaching nursing the last 10 years and received my Doctorate in 2015! Donna Lambertson ‘85
I love Sister Grace, she made learning easy and fun. I still have my Med Math book, and I also still have the concepts memorized. She is an exemplar nurse educator and her impact on teaching us touched the lives of everyone I ever cared for and taught. Thank you Sister Grace for dedicating your life to serving us. You made us all relax, learn and have fun in the process!
Sister Grace was a wonderful teacher at St Vincent’s School of Nursing! She made pharmacology fun and interesting!
Thankyou for making my Nursing School experience the best. You showed us all how to trust in ourselves. And strive to be the BEST Nurses in the world. I will always cherish my education at St Vincent’s . True in every sense of the word Patience, perseverance and Fortitude . Sister Grace simply I will always respect your always being there to inspire, teach and mostly to ❤️. I remember clearly on my graduation day you looked at me and said”. I knew you always had it in you ” you challenged me to work hard and overcome many fears and obstacles. And after 30 years of being a nurse. I thank God for it all . My daughter is know a sophomore Nursing student at Niagara University and I promise to instill in her a gift she already posses Empathy. And the ability to see human life and help others God Bless you Always
Sister Grace was the perfect role model as nurse, teacher, and scholar. For the many years I have been on nursing faculties, I remember her kindness and understanding with students. You are often on my mind during stressful times and I have tried to emulate your teaching.
Thank you for sharing these gifts with me and the thousands of nurses you have taught.
Sheila O’Shea Melli
St Vincents Hospital, class of ’65
Sister Grace will ALWAYS mean so much to me as she was the single influential factor to my admission to St Vincent’s School of Nursing. I was a Vincenteen at the time and as fate had it that one random day my life changed forever. I did not know that at the time but realized it many years later. To this day I am grateful to her and for my entire experience at St Vincent’s. Passed my boards first time around and enjoyed a BLESSED career and profession for the rest of my life and still doing so 47 plus years later. Thank you Sr Grace for believing in ME when the admission process did not.
Her smile and laugh are the 1st things that came to mind when I saw her picture. She ,and all of the Sisters at SVH , are what made it a home and family for many of the staff. Gods blessings to you Sr. Grace,
Sr. Grace I will never forgot pouring medications with ticket system Rose Cisgrive Rose Cosgtive Room 384 was one example that sticks in my mind to this day .
Margaret Reilly Breig Class 1986