Vera Catherine Semanko Grant

Obituary

Born in 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Vera grew up in a Russian Orthodox Community. She graduated as Valedictorian from Edison High School, and in 1943 Vera was one of the first women to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. After training in Washington D. C. and Lakehurst, N.J., Vera transferred to Hawaii as a Meteorologist.

In Hawaii she fell in love with fellow Marine Sergeant Hoyt S. Grant, Jr., an aerial photographer, and they married when both returned to the mainland. Vera Grant studied hard, and in 1948 she graduated as Phi Beta Kappa, at the University of Rochester, NY.

Vera, Hoyt and baby moved to Clinton, CT. in 1951 where two more girls were born. Over the next decade, the family explored the Northeast waters on their sailboat, from Porpoise Harbor to Fire Island.

Onto Lexington, Massachusetts, and Vera became a Skating Mom at Hayden Recreational Center with her four children. She loved Ice Dancing and Synchronized Skating, and sewed skating costumes for countless Hayden Ice Show performers.

In 1975, Vera and Hoyt changed their base of operations to Rocky Hill, CT, from which they enjoyed years of adventure in their Maule, flying around the Caribbean, Central America and Alaska. After 1992, travels continued on land to all corners of the continent, when they took up the RV life and began to winter in North Fort Myers.

In 2006, Vera and Hoyt moved full time to Old Bridge Village, where Vera loved her quilting classes and daily swimming group. Vera was an avid and brilliant knitter. She created heirloom sweaters and afghans for fortunate family and friends, caps for hockey teams and thousands of "Vera's Magic Slippers," for all those who touched her huge heart.

Vera's favorite movie was "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness," and her favorite song was "It's a Small, Small World." She volunteered over 5000 hours at the VA Hospital in Rocky Hill, CT, and for eight winters with the children in the Lee County Migrant Education Program. Vera's "Saint" was Mr. Fred Rogers, who wore the sweaters that his Mother knitted and loved everyone "just the way they are."

Vera children are: Genelle Grant with husband Richard Shine in N. Fort Myers; Gari Grant Lewis and husband Donald Lewis, also of N. Ft Myers; Gayna Grant Scott and Douglas Scott, of Tucson, AZ, and "Skip" Hoyt S. Grant, III and Rita Marinello Grant of Saratoga Springs, NY. The Lights of Her Life were her grandchildren: Erin and Dylan Shine, Elliot Sudal, and Garrison, Hanson and Martina Grant. She leaves her sisters: Mary Ellen Jarnes, Lorraine Koza and Ellie Semanko, and beloved niece, Judy Koza, in Minnesota.

Vera Grant's funeral will take place on August 8, 2008 in Wapping, CT. She will rest there beside Grant family members who died in 1635.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice of Southwest Florida.