Grace Beverly de Carvalho

Grace Beverly de Carvalho, 86, passed away in her sleep at Regency Care on Friday, March 24, 2023.

The third of nine children, Grace was born in Cumberland, ME, on July 26, 1936, to Horace Edward and Doris Hazel (Buzzell) Storey. She had lifelong memories of growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, and wherever life took her, she never lost her Maine accent or her memories of those hard early years.

Earning her way through practical nurse’s training by working in a fish cannery and a department store, Grace then struck out for faraway Boston, where she earned her RN degree at Lynn Hospital School of Nursing. At Lynn Hospital she met her future husband, Dr. Arnaldo Gomes de Carvalho, and they were married on March 17, 1961. They lived in Rio de Janeiro, Wadsworth, KS, and Seattle, WA, before settling for many years in Springfield from 1968 to 1987. After a three-year sojourn in Cape Coral, FL, they returned to Springfield to enjoy their grandchildren and their eventual retirement.

A lifelong athlete, Grace played basketball in high school, and later found her passion in tennis. She took great pride in her masses of trophies from both Springfield and Cape Coral, and she balanced her competitive nature with a cherished circle of tennis friends. She was also active in community service, working for over 40 years with the King’s Daughters Organization (Mary Lawrence Circle), as well as supporting school and scouting activities throughout her children’s educations. Her rural upbringing left her with a lifelong love of dogs, including the “best friend” of her later years, her comfort dog, Sharee.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 57 years, Arnaldo de Carvalho; and her brothers, Harland Edwin Storey, and Donn Richard Storey.

In addition to her three sisters and three brothers, she is survived by her daughters Linda (Casey) Younkin, Susan (David) Chumney, and Michelle (Brian) Kraft; her son, Arnaldo G. (Marjorie) de Carvalho Jr.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. A Funeral Ceremony will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz officiating.

Private burial will take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Grace’s memory to the King’s Daughters Organization, P.O. Box 2087, Springfield, IL 62705.

Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.