worked for a cardiologist and was involved in enzyme studies as well as cryogenics. Grace was inspired and invigorated by her work in science research. She felt engaged by the demands of a career in science and, with the assistance of her father, Grace invented an electrode to perform an EKG test on heart patients while in motion, a technology that evolved into the modern-day stress test. Her first daughter, Jacqueline, was born in 1963, and Grace left Sloan-Kettering to raise her. She accompanied her husband, Hank, a captain in the U.S. Army, to flight school in Alabama. Within 14 months of the birth of her daughter, her son, Hank II, was born as her family traveled to Texas in order for her husband to learn to fly helicopters. She returned to New York as her husband pursued his law degree at Fordham Law School, and gave birth to her youngest daughter, Tiffany. During this time, Mr. Bob Lynch, registrar of Xavier, convinced Grace to interview with Fr.Vincent Duminuco, S.J., then Xavier’s headmaster. She was offered the job but initially turned it down, only to accept the position teaching Biology several days later, when Fr. Duminuco allowed her to have first and last periods free to accommodate her children’s school schedule. Grace started teaching in the fall of 1969, well aware that she was the first female teacher in the school’s 122-year history. Her first class was huge and she wondered about her decision, but she said she fell in love with the students, the Jesuit philosophy and style of education.The balance of discipline at Xavier, along with the presence of strong leaders like Prefect of Discipline Fr. Ed Heavey, S.J. only helped her to adjust. While most of the staff was supportive of her presence and would ultimately become her close friends, there were those who had difficulty with the adjustment. She remembers being chastised for taking a job away from a man. She was also made to feel invisible in the faculty room, as the language of an all-male environment was offensive at times. Guardian angels like Mr. Jim Scott suggested the need for modifying their behavior, and in time helped achieve a balance. At her first faculty meeting, the Xavier legend in his own right, Leo Paquin, saw her walk into the room looking confused as she looked for a place to sit. He quickly guided her toward a seat next to him and continued the practice at every faculty meeting until he left Xavier. During one of her first years, a less supportive faculty member brought in a cat that was allowed to freely roam the floor and classrooms on the fifth floor for several weeks, fully aware that Grace was
highly allergic to cats. Her eyes would be swollen and irritated, and she needed medication for asthma, but she refused to complain. Eventually, Mr. Frank Gregory, longtime dean of students at Xavier, questioned her about her red eyes and she explained about her allergy to cats. As Mrs. Lamour recalls, Mr. Gregory asked whether other staff members knew that she was allergic, and when she said “yes,” he went upstairs and she never saw the cat again. “If I took these episodes to heart, it would have probably crippled me,”she said.The students during her first years saw what she was going through, but instead of antagonizing her during times of struggle, they often went out of their way to show their support.“They really gave me a brighter, positive side to see beyond the antics. I really do believe that I stayed here because of the absolutely wonderful students at Xavier and the friendships that grew with many members of the faculty.” Grace’s tenure at Xavier has lasted for 38 years, and she became a staple in the Kane Building’s science classrooms. Her personal life was also highly tied to the school as Grace’s son, Hank, attended Xavier as an honors student from 1978-1982, playing soccer, football and rugby. Her daughter, Jacqueline, was a cheerleader for Xavier, eventually returning to teach here for two years. Her youngest daughter, Tiffany, was a captain of the cheerleading team, as well. Her daughters have given her two wonderful grandchildren, Drew and Victoria. Grace will be forever considered a pioneer at Xavier and an has been an excellent example for the many other faculty members there are today. Her other accomplishments include serving as Chair of the Science Department for sixteen years. She considers the twenty years of coaching and moderating the female cheerleaders her gift in support of Xavier’s talented athletes. She introduced the New York State Science Honors Society to Xavier, and served on the Board of Governors. The Medical Science Club, the Science Journal, the Oesteichthyes Society and the Earth Day Project with Central Park Conservancy are all projects that grew within the NYSSHS under her supervision. Grace’s life after Xavier promises to be as rewarding as it was before Xavier. She plans to continue dedicating time to the Park Avenue Armory and the East Side Settlement House, where she is a member of the Board of Trustees. Also, she looks forward to spending more time with her family at her beach house in Ocean Grove, NJ. She said that whichever pathway she follows in the future, she will always carry in her heart the “superstars” that she has had the honor of teaching for the past thrity-eight years.
Grace at age 15, dressed for a television production.
Grace with her daughter, Jacqueline, and son, Hank II.
Grace with her grandson, Drew, in Ocean Grove, NJ.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
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