Valeda Patricia Grills

New London - Valeda Patricia Grills, beloved wife, loving mother, and devoted Bubbe, quietly left her loved ones on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.

She was the daughter of the late Joseph E. Wood and Mary Baclawski Wood in New London.

Valeda, a second generation native of New London, was active in community service for the city, and was a strong force in New London politics and fundraising during her entire adult life. She worked as church secretary and bookkeeper of Saint Josephs Parish in New London for many years, as well as several other churches throughout the Norwich Diocese.

Valeda provided a powerful presence in the New London Republican Party for 40 years, serving as the New London Republican Town Committee as secretary, district chair, vice chair, chair, and most recently assistant treasurer.

Her Kiwanis Foundation history extended to the international level. She served as a director and vice president of the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, Tuffs University, Medford, Mass. Other Kiwanis offices included treasurer, secretary, director, vice president, and president of the New London Club. She became "Distinguished Lieutenant Governor" for New England Kiwanis. Valeda had been very active in the Kiwanis International Foundation for children throughout the world. She was most recently involved in many Kiwanis volunteering programs that supported education and well being of children; including Reading is Fundamental, Bike Safety Rodeo, and Safe Kids.

Valeda was a member of the New London Main Street Committee and the Economic Development Committee; she established the Tall Ships Ball, raising thousands of dollars in the process. In addition, she was instrumental in bringing the first performance of the Albano Nutcracker Ballet to New London in 1983, as well as the Albano Spring Ballet in 1984.

Valeda provided extraordinary services for area children and youth. She founded the first New London Drop-in Learning Center for Teens, served as a Brownie leader, Girl Scout leader, and assistant leader for Cub Scouts and was Commissioner of both the Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts. Valeda's fund raising activities benefitted Hospice, Saint Bernard High School, and the Sons of Italy and other civic groups. Valeda and her husband Bob brought the Italian Carnevale Festival to the area while they were in the Sons of Italy, using the proceeds for area student scholarships.

She chaired the Citizens Advisory Committee for almost two decades. As a member of the Board of the Foreign Trade Zone, she helped to initiate the Zone and to obtain the first participating business in that endeavor.

Valeda took her greatest pleasure as a devoted, fun-loving mother and Bubbe, aunt and godmother to many family friends.

Valeda and Bob traveled the world together several times. She leaves friends on many continents. Her family is grateful for the kindnesses already expressed by the numerous callers and visitors. The family treasures every minute of the life of Valeda Grills.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Robert H. Grills, of New London and her daughter, Merrijo Grills Logan and son-in-law, Christopher Logan, of New London; her son, Timothy Grills and daughter-in-law, Sheri Basque Grills, of Niantic; and grandchildren, Kristi Cook of Vermont, Jonathan Logan of Groton, Megan Grills and Jacob Grills of Niantic. She is also survived by her brother, James Wood, of Brattleboro, Vt.; her sister, Mary Maria and brother-in-law, David Maria, of Bonita Springs, Fla. and Salem and brother-in-law, Donald Grills and sister-in-law, Lee Ann Grills of New London and many nieces and nephews across the country.

She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth Ross and her brothers, William Wood and Joseph Wood.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at St. Joseph Church on Montauk Avenue, New London. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Valeda's life immediately following the burial at The Port 'N' Starboard at Ocean Beach, New London.

Donations in her memory can be made to The Kiwanis Club of New London, P.O. Box 333, New London, CT 06230; Saint Joseph Endowment Fund, 17 Squire Street New London, CT 06320; and Saint Mary Star of the Sea Capital Fund, 10 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320.