Grace Irene Pier

Grace Irene (Adams) Pier was born the youngest of four children, February 21, 1936, in Orange, California, to Ruby (Brechner) Adams and Albert Adams. Through most of her youth though, she was raised in Michigan, and at 10 years of age her mother remarried Bill Swegles who became a second father to her. It was in her high school years that she realized a love of large families, especially as she was the only child with two brothers and a sister already grown.

While working at Hughes, she met a man with whom she would indeed create a large family of her own. She married Domingo Pier on September 22, 1962, and they raised 7 boys and 3 girls. Life with their growing family often presented challenges, but her faith, in the Catholic church, seemed to give her strength and desire to find more possibilities than limitations. No matter how tight things were or that all the bedrooms were full, the door was always open for others who needed a bed, a meal, a family.

She always managed gatherings with great attention to having good food and plenty of it, and lots of family around – there was always room for a few more. Along with learning how to cook for a very large family, something she taught herself, she learned to bake delicious treats, and even found time to learn cake decorating with astonishing creations. And as if she wasn’t busy enough, she took up macramé and crocheting. Learning new things and keeping active was just her way in life. She loved dancing, travelling, and helping people. Even her job at the airline call center was a way she could help others. And at an age when people usually thought about retirement, she went back to school and completed an Associates degree in computer programming!

After a very active, generous, and loving life of 89 years, she passed peacefully surrounded by family near and far on September 11, 2025. She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, ten children, 19 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, and many other family members and friends. Services will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church located on 801 North Grande Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85745 with Rosary at 10:00 AM and Mass at 10:30 AM. Internment immediately following at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85705. There will then be a gathering back at St. Margaret Mary Church with lunch provided.