Grace Marion Bydalek

June 23, 1919 - September 17, 2018

Grace M. (Twitty) Bydalek, 99, of Kankakee, Illinois, died Monday, September 17, 2018 at Dobson Plaza Nursing Home in Evanston, IL. Grace was born June 23, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of English immigrants Henry and Eleanor (Casson) Twitty. She is survived by one brother James Twitty (Mary Ann) of Sun City Center, FL, sister-in-law Marilyn Twitty of Christopher, IL, many nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Pauline H. Twitty Narve, two brothers, Robert W. Twitty and Charles H. Twitty, and a very special friend, Sebold ‘Dick’ Schoon. After graduating from Zeigler, IL High School in 1937, Grace attended Bethel Women’s College in Hopkinsville, KY from 1937 to 1939, with a major in English and minor in History. She transferred to Southern Illinois Normal University in Carbondale, attending from 1940 to 1942 and receiving a Bachelor of Education, with a major in English and P.E. and minor in History. She attended Middlebury College (Writer’s School) in Middlebury, Vermont in 1942, and, in the summer of 1944, attended the University of Chicago. She later continued her education earning a Master of Arts from the University of Illinois in 1952. She also took classes at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Grace held IL teaching certificates for high school grades and a Guidance certificate for grades K-14. Her career in education spanned 45 years. During her years at SIU she served as President of Sigma Tau Delta (International Honor Society for Students of English) and Editor of Scarab (published in magazine form and containing short stories, poems and essays written by University students). She was also a member of Delta Sigma Epsilon, the Orientation Booklet and Homecoming Committee and WAA. Grace was employed with Kankakee School District 111 from September 1947 until her retirement on May 5, 1987. Her prior employment included IL high school districts of Dundee from 1945-47, and Momence 1942-1945. During her 40 years with Kankakee Schools, she held positions at Eastridge High School, teaching English and serving as Guidance Director. She was the Director of Musicals from 1972 to 1986 and was also the Play Director for many years. In addition, she served as senior, junior, sophomore, and freshman class sponsor during various years. She also served at East Junior High School, Kankakee, and as Director of Guidance in Kankakee Schools. A lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, Grace was baptized in Chicago and confirmed at St. Paul’s Church in Zeigler on November 15, 1931, by Bishop John Chanler White. She was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kankakee for many years. She worked tirelessly for the church, serving on the Fundraising Committee and working to coordinate food and crafts for fundraising activities. Grace was involved in many organizations both at the state and local levels. President of the IL Junior High School Association (1957) and chairman of the state Guidance Survey Committee (1958). She was also a Member of the Executive Committee of the IL Guidance & Personnel Association, now known as the Illinois Counseling Association. She was President of Kankakee Federation of Teachers and led them through a strike in 1975. Grace was committed to the arts, serving on the Board of Directors of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Association Board, as a Board member of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Foundation, and in 1988, joining The Women’s Board of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Association, serving a number of years as President. She was honored as a member emerita (life time member) of The Women’s Board in 2017. In 1996, she was recognized by the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley as an Outstanding Volunteer for Arts and Culture. She was a longtime member of the Minerva Club, serving as President in 2002-03, and a very active and longtime member of the Kankakee Kultivators, serving as President in 1995. During her younger years she enjoyed snow skiing, white water rafting, and canoeing. Grace was an aficionado of the Opera and Symphony Orchestra in Chicago, attending numerous performances. She also loved visiting the new exhibits at the Art Institute of Chicago, even when she was not volunteering at the Institute. She was an avid reader and a member of the Tuesday Night Book Club. Grace enjoyed traveling. She visited her grandparents in England at a young age and then returned in later years. She also traveled to many other countries, including Australia. She immensely adored flower gardening and arranging flowers. A Requiem Mass for Grace will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kankakee, with the Rev. Israel D. Anchen and the Venerable Shawn W. Denney, officiating. Private burial will follow the service. Visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kankakee. Memorial contributions in memory of Grace may be made to St. Paul’s Mission and Ministry C/O St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Envelopes will be available at the visitation and funeral or may be mailed to the Church at 298 South Harrison Avenue, Kankakee, Illinois 60901. Please sign her online guestbook at www.schrefflerfuneralhomes.com