Grace P. Chatel

1933 - 2024

Grace P. Chatel, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at her home surrounded by family.
Grace was born on Feb. 5, 1933 in Alabaster Township where she grew up. She was the daughter of Peter and Grace Baker. Her childhood in Alabaster was a treasured memory as was her families' heritage as early settlers in the Alabaster community.
She graduated from East Tawas High School in 1950, where she was class salutatorian and played girls varsity basketball. She then attended Detroit Business University, after which she worked as a legal secretary for a large Detroit law firm.
In 1952 in Dearborn, she married Robert Chatel, whom she had met in high school. After residing in New London, Conn., while Robert served in the US Navy, they later moved to Marquette, while he attended college and subsequently lived for several years in Sterling Heights. They settled in Oscoda in the early 1960s where Grace has since resided after Robert accepted a high school teaching position.
Grace's faith was very important to her. She was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church parish where she served in the choir for over three decades. In addition to her passion for music, she was an avid gardener, student of history, reader, and world traveler visiting China, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Europe and locations throughout North America.
Above all, Grace was a beloved and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her home was always full of visiting family members and she never missed a family event. Every birthday was remembered and holidays were celebrated with family.
Grace was predeceased by her husband, Robert; and her sisters, Kathleen, Berniece, and Veronica.
Grace is survived by her children, Thomas Chatel, Mary (Michael) Sullivan, Jeanne Chatel and Peter (Catherine) Chatel; her grandchildren, James (Sarah), Grace Anne (Kevin), Robert (Lindsey), Luther (Claire), Joseph, Molly Rose (Sean), James (Leah), Luke (Brooklyn), Rebekah, Kelly (Mathew), Mary (Nathan), Van (Mackensy); and great grandchildren, Louis, Eloise, Greyson, Thomas, Helene, Peter, George, Genevieve, Taylor, MacLean, Ashlyn, Liam, Sybil, Mabel, Abel, Roy, Mary, James, Levi, Eloise June, and Emberly and two more soon to arrive. She was also a cherished aunt to her beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Grace will be held at Buresh Funeral Home in Oscoda on Thursday evening, June 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oscoda, on Friday, June 21, at 11 a.m.
Grace's earthly pilgrimage will conclude with burial at the Alabaster Cemetery. As she travels from Sacred Heart Catholic Church to Alabaster, she and her family and friends will pause on Oates Road at the site of her childhood home on land once settled by her pioneer families.