Grace M. Samuels

NORTH CANAAN —Grace M. Samuels, a three-year resident of the Geer Gardenside Lodge and a former longtime resident of  Yonkers, N.Y., died March 8, 2009, after a brief illness, and 10 years with Alzheimer’s disease.  

“Gracie,â€� as so many of her friends and family called her, was the mother of Margaret Hoag, local resident and Salisbury Ambulance EMT.  

Grace spent her years creatively as an industrious homemaker and devoted mother and grandmother; a longtime volunteer at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, N.Y.; and parishioner/choir soprano at Annunciation Church in Crestwood, N.Y.

Her life was filled with many interests, the greatest of which was her beloved husband, Bobby, who predeceased her in 2005.  

Gracie’s interests extended to avid birdwatching both from the window in her kitchen and on field trips. She was an accomplished gardener, specializing in English country gardens, a fantastic cook and sang for a time in the Sweet Adelines.

The youngest of seven children (five brothers and one sister, all deceased), Grace (née McQuail) was born in Bluefield, West Va., on July 3, 1918.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Rosemont College in Pennsylvania.  After leaving her hometown, she studied radio and voice in Washington, D.C.  She eventually came to New York as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, where she met and married Robert (a corporal) in 1945.  

In addition to Margaret, Grace is survived by two other loving daughters, Ann Fabrizio of Harrison, N.Y., and Lori Samuels of Brewster, N.Y.; and two grandchildren, Richard Fabrizio of  Larchmont, N.Y., and Sara Carbonari of Lake Tahoe, Calif.

A Catholic Mass will be held in Lakeville at St. Mary’s Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 12.  Burial will be held at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y., at 1 p.m.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Geer Village to support their excellent work with the aged.

The Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in North Canaan has charge of the arrangements.