Grace McGarvey, 99, former Camden school nurse

Grace Leimkuhler McGarvey loved life and "was funny as all get out," said her friend Carole Roller.

Even the spelling of her friend's name was a joke within itself, as Mrs. McGarvey always greeted Roller with, "Hello, Carole with an 'e' at the end."

On Monday, May 29, Mrs. McGarvey, 99, of Cherry Hill, died at Samaritan Hospice in Voorhees. She had congestive heart failure.

One of six siblings, Mrs. McGarvey was born in Philadelphia to Harry W. and Elizabeth Leimkuhler.

In 1936, Mrs. McGarvey graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, where she was captain of the basketball team. That year, she was the star forward, helping to win the season opener at the Palestra. The undefeated team was invited to march in a parade at the Shore, where Mrs. McGarvey was given a key to Atlantic City, said daughter Ellen.

After high school, Mrs. McGarvey attended Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a registered nurse and later working at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

At Penn, Mrs. McGarvey met Francis X. McGarvey, who was finishing his degree to become a chemical engineer. The two got engaged. Mrs. McGarvey had been close to her sister, Rita, who also was engaged at the same time. In 1941, the sisters had a joint wedding at Blessed Mother of Mercy Church in Philadelphia.

"She was an amazing woman," Ellen McGarvey said of her mother.

The McGarveys raised their children in Haddon Heights before moving to Cherry Hill.

In 1979, Mrs. McGarvey — with an interest in teaching — returned to college, earning a bachelor's degree from what is now Rowan University. For many years, she taught at St. Peter Celestine Catholic School in Cherry Hill.

She loved being around children and she took a job as school nurse at Forest Hill Elementary School in Camden, where she met Roller. Mrs. McGarvey spent 27 years as the school nurse, and retired when she was 76.

There were days Mrs. McGarvey came home upset after seeing some children with no winter coats or appropriate shoes, her daughter said. She started a collection box at the school, where she and co-workers donated clothing for the children. If they did not have what a child needed, Mrs. McGarvey bought clothing.

"She was a ball of energy," Roller said, recalling that when school let out, staff and students had to watch out because Mrs. McGarvey had the pedal to the floor when she pulled out.

Mrs. McGarvey once owned a blue Chevrolet Impala convertible with a white top, her daughter said. She loved that car, which is long gone. For Mrs. McGarvey's 90th birthday, her daughter rented a convertible, taking her mother wherever she wanted to go.

In retirement, the couple traveled the world, visiting places that included China, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, England, France, and Alaska.

"They had a really good life. They worked hard, saved their money, and did a lot," their daughter said.

Among her hobbies, Mrs. McGarvey enjoyed crocheting and painting.

In addition to her daughter, Mrs. McGarvey is survived by son Frank X. Jr., daughter Debra Davis, a sister, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband and daughter Patricia Ann.

Mrs. McGarvey donated her body to the Humanity Gift Registry for research at the University of Pennsylvania.

A celebration of life will be held this summer at a time and location to be announced.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Samaritan Hospice.