1915
Rebecca
2013
Rebecca Graves
May 20, 1915 — July 3, 2013
GARDNER - Rebecca Graves, affectionately known as “Betty” by her many friends, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 3, at the age of 98 at Wachusett Manor, Gardner.
Born in Burlington, Vermont on May 20, 1915 to George and Mary (Lucia) Schumph, she spent her youth in Burlington where she graduated from Burlington High School. Married a soldier, Alfred Graves, the love of her life, at age 19 and spent the next 52 years together until Alfred passed on November 4, 1985. They moved to Massachusetts and settled in Gardner, where Betty resided for 78 years. Betty lived at the Heywood Place for the past 25 years then moved to the Heywood Commons in October 2011.
Betty watched the world change for more than 98 years; the simple things remained her source of happiness. Her children and her grandchildren were her constant source of energy in which she took so much pleasure. Betty enjoyed sports of all kinds and was an avid Red Sox fan. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports. Her favorite hobbies included playing bingo, knitting, crocheting, word finds and playing cards. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church for over 60 years.
Betty is survived by Charles and Tobey Graves of Georgia, Joyce and William Lovejoy of Florida, George and Paulette Graves of Baldwinville, Mark and Sankari Graves of Virginia and her brother Thomas Schumph of Burlington VT. A loving Grandmother she enjoyed her nine grandchildren: Kevin Lovejoy, Sandy Ordner , Dia Norton, Thomas Lovejoy, Kelley Mayhorn, Matthew LeBlanc, Ryan Graves, Monica and Melanie Graves. She was the Great Grandmother to six wonderful great grandchildren: Brittany Mayhorn, Kevin Lovejoy, Taylor Norton, Paul Ordner and Kaleb and Brady LeBlanc. She was predeceased by her husband Alfred, her sisters Beatrice and Mary, and her brothers Edward and Richard. She also predeceased her dearly loved grandchildren Kevin Lovejoy and Sandy Ordner. Betty is also leaving her good friends Frank and Lorraine Foley and her many friends and staff members at the Heywood Commons that provided a loving and caring environment for Betty during her stay.
Betty was an incredible woman who lived in incredible times. Her easy laughter, carefree attitude, and contagious happiness is a gift which we can only hope are passed to the next generation. Betty will be missed.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, August 17th at 10 A.M. in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville. The Rev. Francis A. Robege will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Baldwinville.
www.stone-ladeau.com
Born in Burlington, Vermont on May 20, 1915 to George and Mary (Lucia) Schumph, she spent her youth in Burlington where she graduated from Burlington High School. Married a soldier, Alfred Graves, the love of her life, at age 19 and spent the next 52 years together until Alfred passed on November 4, 1985. They moved to Massachusetts and settled in Gardner, where Betty resided for 78 years. Betty lived at the Heywood Place for the past 25 years then moved to the Heywood Commons in October 2011.
Betty watched the world change for more than 98 years; the simple things remained her source of happiness. Her children and her grandchildren were her constant source of energy in which she took so much pleasure. Betty enjoyed sports of all kinds and was an avid Red Sox fan. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports. Her favorite hobbies included playing bingo, knitting, crocheting, word finds and playing cards. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church for over 60 years.
Betty is survived by Charles and Tobey Graves of Georgia, Joyce and William Lovejoy of Florida, George and Paulette Graves of Baldwinville, Mark and Sankari Graves of Virginia and her brother Thomas Schumph of Burlington VT. A loving Grandmother she enjoyed her nine grandchildren: Kevin Lovejoy, Sandy Ordner , Dia Norton, Thomas Lovejoy, Kelley Mayhorn, Matthew LeBlanc, Ryan Graves, Monica and Melanie Graves. She was the Great Grandmother to six wonderful great grandchildren: Brittany Mayhorn, Kevin Lovejoy, Taylor Norton, Paul Ordner and Kaleb and Brady LeBlanc. She was predeceased by her husband Alfred, her sisters Beatrice and Mary, and her brothers Edward and Richard. She also predeceased her dearly loved grandchildren Kevin Lovejoy and Sandy Ordner. Betty is also leaving her good friends Frank and Lorraine Foley and her many friends and staff members at the Heywood Commons that provided a loving and caring environment for Betty during her stay.
Betty was an incredible woman who lived in incredible times. Her easy laughter, carefree attitude, and contagious happiness is a gift which we can only hope are passed to the next generation. Betty will be missed.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, August 17th at 10 A.M. in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville. The Rev. Francis A. Robege will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Baldwinville.
www.stone-ladeau.com
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