Spearfish, SD Dr. Etta Grice Finn
Dr. Etta Grice Finn, 55, Spearfish, SD, passed away Monday, Feb 23, 2009 in Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Finn was born at Hotel Dieu in New Orleans, LA and was a resident of Spearfish, SD and Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Finn graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Nursing with an RN Certificate in 1979. She received a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree from Our Lady of the Holy Cross College in New Orleans in 1984. She worked as a critical care nurse in ICU and in an Acute Dialysis unit for many years. However, her desire to write led her to obtain a Master's (MA) Degree in English from the University of New Orleans in 1995 and she was inducted as a mem¬ber of the honor society Phi Delta Kappa that same year. On December 15, 2000 she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans. While working on her doctorate she revised the curriculum for the English as a Second Language program for the University of New Orleans.
Dr. Finn previously held the position of Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Rapid City and traveled extensively throughout Western South Dakota visiting parishes and making new friends. One cousin remarked that Etta never met a stranger. She derived a great deal of pleasure from her five grandchildren with whom she was very close. Dr. Finn was a devout Catholic and was an example and an inspiration to those who knew her. She approached life with enthusiasm and truly believed that one person could make a difference. Dr. Finn was commissioned as a Lay Minister in 2006, an achievement which provided her a great sense of fulfillment. In this capacity she devoted hours of her time doing volunteer work for the Diocese of Rapid City, SD and for St. Joseph's Parish in Spearfish, SD.
Survivors include her hus¬band of 22 years, Dr. John J. Finn Jr., Spearfish, SD and Baton Rouge, LA; her two children, Theresa Finn Outlaw (Tom) of Bangkok and Patrick Finn of Rapid City; her two step-children John J. Finn III (Jane) of New Orleans LA and Angela Finn Caliva (Kevin) of Diamondhead, MS; five grandchil¬dren, John J. Finn, IV, Connor R. Finn, Caroline Caliva, Brendon Caliva and Casey May Caliva; her mother, Marilyn Grice and the late Guerard Grice, Sr. of New Orleans, LA; two brothers, Fr. Edward Grice, Westwego, LA and Dr. Guerard Grice Jr. of San Diego, CA; one sister, Gay Delacruz, Mandeville, LA; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and many, many friends.
A Funeral Mass celebrated by her brother the Rev Edward Grice was held on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Westwego, LA. Dr. Finn is interned at All Saints Mausoleum in New Orleans, LA.
A memorial service is planned for Wednesday March 18, 2009, 7:00 PM, St Joseph's Church in Spearfish, SD. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the As¬sociated Catholic Charities of Rapid City, SD.
Local arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com