Grace Roglis
Godfrey | Save
Grace Roglis of Godfrey, Illinois, died peacefully of natural causes in her home of nearly 80 years on December 14, 2020 with friends and family by her side. She was 104 years old.
Grace was born and raised on Chicago’s North Side. The daughter of Welsh and German immigrants, Grace learned the value of hard work, sacrifice and education during her formative years in the midst of the Great Depression. In 1937, she graduated from the University of Illinois, where she met the late Bill Roglis. She and Bill married in 1939 and settled the Alton area where she began a career as a social worker with Madison County. She left the workforce to raise her children, Rick Roglis (deceased) and Lynn Stewart of Alton. She resumed working, becoming an educator with the Alton Community Unit School District and later with Lewis and Clark Community College. Grace’s passions in life were family, friends, traveling and learning.
Over her lifetime, Grace was able to travel the world. Starting with car trips across the United States, Canada and Mexico in the early years of her marriage, she ultimately visited every continent but Antarctica. She traveled across Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, India and Latin America. She traveled to Communist Eastern Europe and the USSR, only to return after communism fell. She went on Safari in Africa. She would travel with friends, with her daughter and grandson and on her own. In her late 90’s she attended Oxford University in England, for a continuing education program. She continued traveling well into her 100’s, enjoying trips to Branson and other Midwest destinations. Her last trip was to Chicago in July 2020 to celebrate her 104th birthday with friends and family.
Born before women had the right to vote, Grace was a passionate feminist and never shy to discuss her politics. She proudly voted during the 2020 election – in person, of course, despite the second pandemic of her lifetime. She was pleased to witness the first female elected Vice President, although Grace would say it only happed 104 years too late.
Grace had a network of friends that spanned the globe, with pen pals in far away places such as her father’s homeland of Wales, with whom she corresponded by email. She loved spending time with friends and always kept them well entertained with her tremendous sense of humor. She was also committed to various charitable organizations and volunteered at the Caravan in Alton, which benefits the Oasis Women’s Center, well into her 90’s.
She is survived by her beloved great-grandchildren Clara Stewart, Charlie Stewart and Georgina Stewart along with her grandson Bill Stewart and his wife Alison (nee Bohn) Stewart and daughter Lynn Stewart. A private memorial service will be held at Gent Funeral Home on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Donations in her memory can be made to the Oasis Women’s Center and the Alton Area Animal Aid Association. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
