Graci Leone Finkle

Graci Leone Finkle of Hilton Head Island passed away suddenly on May 1st at home.

She is survived by the love of her life her husband of 33 years Phil Finkle, two sisters, Toni Madore of East Greenbush NY and Mary (Phil) Gause of Nolensville TN.  Beloved Aunt to Nicholas (Kayla) Madore, Emily Gause and Philip Gause and Great Aunt to Vincent Madore. Life-long friends of Jeanne (Bob) Davies and Joe (Rose) Herbst of East Greenbush. Stepmother to Stacy and Jamie Finkle. She has predeceased by her parents Norm and Grace Leone and brother in law Vince Madore.

Graci graduated from Columbia High School, East Greenbush, SUNY Plattsburgh and earned her Master’s in Special Education from SUNY Albany.

Graci loved teaching children with special needs and retired after 35 years. She touched the lives of countless children. She taught in Albany, NY, Manassas, Virginia, East Greenbush, NY and Bluffton, South Carolina.

She loved motorcycling with her soulmate, traveling, gardening and being one with nature. She had a generous soul and a beautiful smile. Graci loved everyone and everyone loved her.  She will be remembered by her magnetic personality, infectious laugh, generous and wild spirit. Graci lived life on her own terms.

Graci was itsy bitsy in stature but large in life.  While she will be profoundly missed, her spirit lives on in all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

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