A librarian from Lakeland, Florida...

Grace Veach

Date of first appearance:
Feb. 1997

Total winnings:
$51,601 in 5 games. Semifinalist winnings of $5000 in 1998 ToC.

Favorite anecdote:
Walking into a souvenir shop in New Orleans and the first thing out of the sales clerk's mouth was: “You were on Jeopardy!” This was several months after the shows aired--he probably has a better memory than I do if he's that good with faces!

Did being on Jeopardy! affect your life?
My hometown of Decatur, Illinois was just awesome. I could not have asked for a more wonderful place to live while appearing on Jeopardy! They made me feel so special! One highlight was being a Grand Marshall of the Decatur Celebration Razzle-Dazzle Goodtimes® Parade. They just embraced me. And a result of that was a big boost of self-confidence. Ironically, that was what led me to leave Decatur to take a job with more responsibility--after I gained the confidence to think I might be able to handle it.

Did you do anything crazy with your winnings?
As I mentioned in the ToC, I bought (and learned to play) a bass guitar. And I took enough trips to Florida that I ended up moving there.

Is there anything else you would like viewers to know about you?
I have a wonderful husband (Steve) and 9 year old son (Vincent). Vincent has been helping me study and is now about ready for Kids' Jeopardy! We love to geocache--in fact, we brought some travel bugs from Florida to California. And, I have a great job at Southeastern College in Lakeland, where the library staff is the best ever!

"After winning 5 games in 1997, she was the grand marshall of a parade in her hometown of Decatur, Illinois. Today, she's a librarian living in Lakeland, Florida..."

2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 2 winner: $64,700.
1998 Tournament of Champions semifinalist: $5,000
Season 13 5-time champion: $51,601.