Gracia Sansom

Gracia Ann Sansom was born on September 2, 1953 to Joseph and Stella (Plevniak) Schwanz in Lackawanna, New York. Gracia grew up in East Eden, New York. She attended high school in Hamburg, New York at Immaculata Academy, graduating in 1971. Following high school, she served five years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Sergeant. While stationed in Washington, D.C., she met Charlie, her husband of 43 years. Upon leaving the Air Force, Gracia remained in the Washington, D.C. area where she worked as a secretary with Calculon and later became a Patent Secretary at Foley & Lardner. The couple lived in the Washington, D.C. area for 18 years, where they had their two children (Beth and David). Charlie's job relocated the family of four to Texas in 1990, where she became a Legal Patent Assistant at Texas Instruments for 26 years. Gracia was an avid bowler, and more recently, actively pursued scrapbooking and knitting. She also developed a strong interest in following NASCAR with her daughter. Possessing the ability to make friends easily, she never met a stranger and always greeted people with a smile. In the final year of her life, she battled cancer before succumbing to it on December 17, 2016. Gracia is survived by her husband Charlie Sansom, Children Elizabeth (Beth) Lunkenheimer and her husband Rick and David Sansom, siblings Edward Schwanz and his wife Paula, Mary Zydel and her husband Al and Jim Schwanz and his wife Mary Lou. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Gracia was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Stella and her brother George Schwanz. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Allen Family Funeral Options. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 also at Allen Family Funeral Options. Committal services will commence at 12:30 pm on Wednesday at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy. Dallas, Tx 75211.