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Grace Curtis Obituary
She was born in South Orange, N.J., on Jan. 10, 1930, the daughter of Richard H. and Edna Mitchell Thiele.
She married Henry F. Curtis on June 10, 1952, in Wellesley, Mass.
Grace graduated from Wellesley College in 1952 and received her master of arts degree in teaching from Connecticut College in 1969. From 1952 to 1955, she was an assistant in the history department at Tulane University in New Orleans. She also worked as a substitute teacher in local area school systems for many years.
Grace was a very active member of the Second Congregational Church in New London for almost 50 years, serving as a deacon, president of the Women's Fellowship for over 25 years, and most recently, as the chairman of the property committee. She organized the annual holiday bazaar for over 30 years.
She was a founder and president from 1962 until 2001 of the Southeastern Connecticut Association for the Retarded, Inc. (SCAR). For more than 20 years, she organized SCAR's annual fundraiser, the Card Party and Fashion Show, with all proceeds benefiting the retarded. In 2001, Grace was recognized by the Connecticut General Assembly with an official citation for her many years of service on behalf of parents, caregivers, and the retarded children of Southeastern Connecticut.
Grace was an active supporter of the Waterford school system, serving on the board of education from 1979 to 1983. She was also one of the founders of the Music for Children Program. In addition, she served as a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Waterford for many years.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her five children, Virginia C. Turner of Fountain Valley, Calif., Beth C. Cvejanovich of South Windsor, Henry F. Curtis Jr. of Stonington, Richard R. Curtis of Enfield, N.H., and Gracemarie Curtis of Hudson, Mass. She is also survived by a brother, Richard H. Thiele Jr. of Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister, Virginia I. Lowell of Palos Verdes, Calif.; and her grandchildren, Ben, Rachel, and Emily Turner, and Robby and Amanda Cvejanovich.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2006, at the Second Congregational Church, 45 Broad St., New London. Private interment will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery. There are no visiting hours.
Donations in her memory may be directed to the Second Congregational Church, 45 Broad St., New London CT 06320.
The Byles Memorial Home in New London is entrusted with the arrangements.
Please visit www.byles.com for online obituary, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Grace Curtis
The staff @ Jerry Brown Rd.
March 8, 2006
Mr. Curtis & Family,
We wanted you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Grace was such a wonderful person and a great advocate for the needs of the handicapped. She will be deeply missed.
Pam Dugas
March 4, 2006
Mr.Curtis,
I want to express my deepest sympathy to you at this time. My prayers go out to you, your children and the rest of the Curtis family. May your faith help you get through this difficult time.
Mardie Chapman
February 26, 2006
Dear Henry, my heart and prayers go out to you, your family, and Grace's church family & friends. Grace will continue to inspire and teach many through her example of caring for all people, advocating especially for people with special needs, and encouraging people to get involved. She put her faith into action, and she was and will continue to a strong role model for me and for many. You and she were a great team, and you will be in my prayers and thoughts. Sending prayers of peace and comfort in Christ's love, Mardie
Stephanie Kossler Swap
February 26, 2006
Mr. Curtis: My deepest sympathies to you and your whole family on the loss of Mrs. Curtis. I have many happy memories, as a friend of Grace Marie's, of visiting your home in high school and after. Please know that your loss will be felt by many, and that all of our prayers are with you and your family.
Grace Curtis at Change of Watch in 2005
Bob and Alice Payette
February 26, 2006
Henry: In all that you do, including your position as Commander of New London Power Squadron, Grace was there for you and for us. I know I speak for all New London Power Squadron members when I say we know your loss is a terrible one and she will be missed greatly. Truly she was an accomplished woman who lived a rewarding life, a life where she gave probably more then she received. We'll miss her a lot. Bob & Alice Payette
Donald Fales
February 26, 2006
Condolenses to the family.
David and Anne Cattanach
February 26, 2006
Henry, we know nothing can compare with the loss of a wife, or a mother, or a grandmother, but both Anne and I are devasted by Grace's death as are all members of Second Congregational Church.
Although in our hearts, everyone we love is irreplaceable, that term also truly applies to Grace's life in our Church. We won't see another like her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May God's promise of everlasting life through Jesus Christ sustain you and your loved ones.
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