Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is pleased to introduce you to the Grace Family, a family that takes advantage of every opportunity and adventure. Sometimes that adventure means jetting off to Disney World, just for the day!
Mary and Jeff Grace have lived in Newtown Square for 20 years, but Mary’s roots here go back even further. After living here her whole life, she’s now raising the fifth generation of Newtown Square residents. First, her great-grandparents moved here when they were young to raise their families and they started a long line of Marple Newtown High School (MNHS) grads. Not only is Mary an MNHS alum, her grandparents, mother, brother and her
daughter Morgan are all proud graduates. Now her two sons Gage and Cole are students there!
While Mary was a student at MNHS, she played softball and volleyball and was a member of the drama club. After high school, she worked for her family’s business Irving Miller Real Estate, which was started by her grandfather in 1946. It was soon after that that she found a job that truly captured her heart. Eleven years ago Mary founded her own travel agency called Mad Hatter Adventures Travel Company. As a travel specialist, Mary helps clients plan vacations all over the world. “I absolutely love my job,” she said. “I am one of those people who loves to go to work.
I love talking about travel, hearing about people’s travel plans and of course, I love to travel too!” Mary travels at least once a month, giving her the opportunity to visit new destinations. “Having new experiences all over the world has been truly an amazing perk to my job,” she added. Mary also has big plans this year to grow the business and they’re even launching a travel podcast.
on their wedding day
with their daughter Morgan Grace
Born in Washington D.C., Mary’s husband Jeff is the only family member not originally from Newtown Square. Jeff and his parents and two brothers eventually moved from D.C. to Norristown, where Jeff attended high school. After graduating from Norristown High School, Jeff went on to the University of Maryland. Today, Jeff works in Information Systems for Worthington Armstrong Venture in Malvern, a worldwide leader in ceiling systems. About five years ago, Jeff also started a company called Morganfly that does laser engraving, embroidery and screen printing. “It all started
when Mary wanted her travel agency logo put on merchandise,” explained Jeff. “I made the first product for her, and when some of her travel colleagues saw her images on social media, they wanted their own items. The business took off!”
Back in 2004, Jeff and Mary met at a wedding and hit it off instantly. In fact, they hit it off so well, they married after just 30 days of knowing each other. A month after they met, the couple was at a party and decided “Let’s get married!” So they eloped! Six months later, Mary and Jeff held a big celebration in Ocean City, MD, and invited all of their friends and family. “At the time I was a single mom to my daughter Morgan,” said Mary. “I felt so blessed and lucky to have found Jeff to share our lives with.” Now, 20 years later, they are looking forward to celebrating this milestone anniversary this year!
The couple found their first home in Broomall before eventually moving over to Newtown Square. It was the perfect house in a great neighborhood behind St. Anastasia Parish and they’ve been there ever since. “We love the neighborhood, we love the school district and best of all, we can walk to my mom’s house,” said Mary. After 20 years here, some of their neighbors have even become their second family. “We sadly lost our neighbor
Bea Colangelo a few years ago and we have joined our families to spend our holidays together. Bea’s three children are like cousins to our children.”
Mary and Jeff have found Newtown Square to be the perfect place to raise their three children. Their oldest, Mary Morgan is now 23. Technically she’s Mary the 4th, but she goes by Morgan. A 2018 graduate of MNHS, she was a proud member of the Color Guard. After high school, she earned a degree in Biochemistry from Widener University. Today she can be found working at the University of Pennsylvania in research.
It’s been an exciting time for Morgan as this past December she married Andrew, her college best friend. A beautiful celebration was held at the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve that included plenty of family and many of their friends and neighbors like the Colangelos.
The Graces are excited to welcome Andrew into the family, another Widener grad, who now also works at the University of Pennsylvania. “Andrew and Morgan make an adorable couple who love to be outdoors and to travel,” said Mary. “And lucky for us they moved right down the road to Broomall!”
Mary and Jeff also have two sons Jeffrey Gage (Gage) and Cole. Gage is a kindhearted 17-year-old and a junior at MNHS. He’s active in the MN Drama program and recently starred in their production of Puffs. Gage began his acting and performing career in the school district’s theater department in fourth grade and he has participated in every production since. “Gage is a kind young man,” said Mary. “He would do anything for you.” Someday Gage hopes to be a voice actor. His younger brother Cole is a freshman at MNHS. Cole is a bit more reserved, that is until you
get to know him. Cole is also in the MN Drama program and is excited to perform in their upcoming production of Mamma Mia! Last but not least, the Grace family rescued three cats during the pandemic: Bravo, Echo and Tango. They’ve been a welcome addition to the family.
When it comes to things to do in their spare time, for the Graces it’s travel, travel and more travel! “We often take a DAY trip to Florida to go to either Disney or Universal,” said Mary. “It’s become quite talked about. We fly down in the morning and home in the evening and get a full day in a park.” They also take a cruise every Thanksgiving to spend time together before the rush of the holidays. Mary went on a solo trip recently to Alaska and
had the opportunity to take a very small plane and land on the Ruth Glacier right next to Denali. Next up is a trip for Jeff and Mary to cruise around Italy, focusing on Sicily and then heading to Croatia before ending in Venice. If Mary’s mom isn’t taking care of the kids while Jeff and Mary are away, she’s accompanying them on their latest adventure. “We are so lucky to have her only eight houses away,” Mary said. “She also makes a great travel
companion. We’ve taken a few amazing mother/daughter trips.”
After a whirlwind of travel, the Graces are also excited to come home to Newtown Square and the community they are a part of. Both Mary and Jeff serve on the board of the Marple Newtown High School choir, which their boys are also actively involved in. They also love supporting the MN Drama program.
No matter where else they’ve been, nothing can compare to a place where they have such deep roots. “Newtown Square is an incredible community,” said Mary. “We pull together when we need each other the most. I am proud to live here and support our village!” Thank you Grace family for sharing your story with Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors. We look forward to hearing about your next adventure!
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