Grace Douglas O'Connell
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Laconia-----Grace Douglas O’Connell, 92, formerly of Gilmanton died Saturday, August 29, 2009. She was born March 20, 1917 in Gilmanton Iron Works, the daughter of George L. and Mildred N. (Place) Douglas. She was the widow of William J. O’Connell, Jr. who died in May, 2007 at the N. H. Veterans Home in Tilton.

Grace moved to Amesbury, Massachusetts as a child of ten. Many years were spent there until she and her husband built a beautiful home on Frisky Hill in Gilmanton for their retirement. Her many years were spent raising a family and later working at many different professions, an assistant manager for Sears Roebuck, manager at Ships Service in Newport, R. I. Naval Base, reference research technician for Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge, Mass., manager of a designer shop in Amesbury, Mass, assistant librarian at Pentucket Regional School and volunteer work in various community church fundraising events. She taught stenciling at G & G Fabrics for many years. In later years, she worked with the State of New Hampshire Employment Security in Laconia.

In Amesbury, Grace was a member of the Whitter Club, Daughters of the American Revolution and on the active board of the Old Ladies Home.

In Gilmanton, she was President of the Lower Gilmanton Club and a member of the Gilmanton Iron Works Church.

Grace was very close to her brothers, Lawrence and Clyde Douglas. She always cared for others, friends and family before herself. During all of her travels to areas around the world, she always shared her zeal for life and happiness with everyone she encountered with a wonderful sense of wisdom and wit. She will be greatly missed by all of her friends, family and church association.

Mrs. O’Connell is survived by a son, William J. O’Connell III, of Weirs Beach; granddaughter, Shannon O’Connell, of Hawaii and several nephews and nieces. In addition to her husband and her parents, Mrs. O’Connell was predeceased by her two brothers.

There will be no visiting hours.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 11:00AM at the Gilmanton Community Church, Iron Works. Burial will follow in the family lot in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Gilmanton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gilmanton Community Church, PO Box 6, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is in charge of the arrangements.