Grace M. Tedford

Grace M. Tedford
Grace M. Tedford, 100 (one month shy of 101) of Manchester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. She was born on June 6, 1923, on the family farm on Birch Mountain Road. She was the daughter of the late John J. Tedford and Frances (Volkert) Tedford. Grace graduated from Manchester High School in 1942. She was employed for 40 years as a Parachute Stringer at Pioneer Parachute Company. She was an active member of the Bolton and Hillstown Granges for many years, and was also a member of St. Georges Church in Bolton, baking 79 pies for the church bake sale one year. She was on the "Lucky Ladies" Bowling League and played on the Pratt & Whitney Women's Softball Team during WWII.
Grace loved to travel. She took her parents on road trips all over New England, she even took her mom on a trip to Hawaii. She also traveled to Germany, Italy and other European countries, rode camels in Egypt, and visited many parts of the United States. She attended the World's Fair in New York in 1940 and attended Baseball Games at Yankee Stadium.
She was proud to be a founding member of the Manchester Arts Association. Grace started drawing at the age of 4 and never stopped. She was an artist, whether she was using pastels, watercolors, oils, acrylics or even sculpting with clay, she mastered them all. She participated in many art shows in Manchester, Bolton and South Windsor and won numerous blue ribbons, best of show and other awards, all accomplishments she was very proud of! Even when she began to lose her vision, she continued to paint and draw. Grace's legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the artwork she so generously shared with her family and others.
Grace lived most of her life on Birch Mt, living in the home she was born in. She loved working the farm and, in later years, tending to her gardens, fruit and black walnut trees. She loved spending time with her family, planning summer cookouts, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations at the farm. She enjoyed spending time with her identical twin sister Pearl's family, whether on their boat, or riding ATV's and snow mobiles at her niece's home in Vermont. She loved life and loved her family even more!
Grace is survived by her sisters, Gladys Woodin, Litchfield, NH, Louise Randall, Lebanon/Marlborough, CT, sister-in-law, Deborah Tedford, Massachusetts, and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her life partner, Johnny Massolini, brothers: Charles, Donald, John Tedford, and sisters: Betty Maneggia, Mary Tedford, her twin sister and best friend, Pearl Manager, and her nephew, Rick Tedford.
Special thanks to By the River Residential Care Home in Marlborough, CT and the wonderful team of caregivers. Special thank you to Corinne and Joy. They provided a home for Grace when she could no longer live alone. She made new friends there and continued to stay active, exercising every day, painting and drawing, working on puzzles and winning at Bingo. Her motto was, be happy and stay active and make the best of whatever situation you find yourself in!
Calling hours will be held Friday, May 10th, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main Street, Manchester CT 06040. A service will be held that evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at the family's convenience.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Grace's memory to The Manchester Art Association by accessing their website at ManchesterArt.org or mail a check to P.O. Box 1981, Manchester, CT 06045.