Obituary of Grace L. Waite

WESTFIELD - Grace L. (Heary) Waite of First St., Westfield passed away peacefully on May 23, 2017, at the age of 95, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Dunkirk on February 16, 1922, Grace was the youngest daughter of the late Frank and Catherine (Ortlieb) Heary. She married Roger Waite, the love of her life, on November 28, 1946 in Sacred Heart Church in Dunkirk. They moved to Westfield in 1955 where they raised their children: Judith, Daniel, Brian, and Diane. Grace is now reunited with Roger, who preceded her in death on October 1, 1998. Grace was an active and beloved member and leader of the Westfield community. As a democrat, she was the first woman to hold an elected office in the Village of Westfield-serving as a Village Trustee from 1974-1976. After working at both the Vine City Dairy and Edwards' Chevrolet, she retired from her job as business manager at Kem Dengler Chevrolet-Olds, Inc. in 1985. She was also a member of St. James Church in Westfield, the Altar Rosary Society, and the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. Grace was truly devoted to her family and friends, loved the Deutschmeister Band, and was rarely beaten at a hand of cards-regardless of the game. In her retirement, she played bridge every Thursday until recently. A world-class hostess, Grace always left the front door to the house open, and guests gathered there often to enjoy laughing, snacking, and toasting with her infamous Manhattans. There were always plenty of chairs available for visitors, and the front porch is well known as a gathering spot for extended family, friends, and neighbors. Grace invited everyone to be a part of the Waite clan! In addition to her parents and husband, Grace was preceded in death by her siblings Leo Heary, Eugene Heary, Dorothy Heary Wykstra, Gertrude Heary Frank, and Josephine Heary Lenox. Grace is survived by her children Judith Waite Washington of Westfield; Daniel Waite of New York City; Brian and Leigh Waite of York, PA; Diane and James Wotus of Los Gatos, CA; her grandchildren Aaron and Hind Washington, Jody Washington, Ian and Julia Waite, Kyle and Laura Waite; and her great-grandchildren Jacob Washington, Joshua Washington, and Joseph Waite; as well as nieces, nephews, and her special caregivers Julie Morrow and Ellen Brooker. No visitation will be observed. A Memorial Mass will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, 189 E. Main St., Westfield, NY 14787, or to the Lake Shore Center for the Arts, 11 Union St., Westfield, NY 14787, or to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmont Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Waite family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information. WESTFIELD - Grace L. (Heary) Waite of First St., Westfield passed away peacefully on May 23, 2017, at the age of 95, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Dunkirk on February 16, 1922, Grace was the youngest daughter of the late Frank and Catherine (Ortlieb) Heary. She married Roger Waite, the love of her life, on November 28, 1946 in Sacred Heart Church in Dunkirk. They moved to Westfield in 1955 where they raised their children: Judith, Daniel, Brian, and Diane. Grace is now reunited with Roger, who preceded her in death on October 1, 1998. Grace was an active and beloved member and leader of the Westfield community. As a democrat, she was the first woman to hold an elected office in the Village of Westfield-serving as a Village Trustee from 1974-1976. After working at both the Vine City Dairy and Edwards' Chevrolet, she retired from her job as business manager at Kem Dengler Chevrolet-Olds, Inc. in 1985. She was also a member of St. James Church in Westfield, the Altar Rosary Society, and the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. Grace was truly devoted to her family and friends, loved the Deutschmeister Band, and was rarely beaten at a hand of cards-regardless of the game. In her retirement, she played bridge every Thursday until recently. A world-class hostess, Grace always left the front door to the house open, and guests gathered there often to enjoy laughing, snacking, and toasting with her infamous Manhattans. There were always plenty of chairs available for visitors, and the front porch is well known as a gathering spot for extended family, friends, and neighbors. Grace invited everyone to be a part of the Waite clan! In addition to her parents and husband, Grace was preceded in death by her siblings Leo Heary, Eugene Heary, Dorothy Heary Wykstra, Gertrude Heary Frank, and Josephine Heary Lenox. Grace is survived by her children Judith Waite Washington of Westfield; Daniel Waite of New York City; Brian and Leigh Waite of York, PA; Diane and James Wotus of Los Gatos, CA; her grandchildren Aaron and Hind Washington, Jody Washington, Ian and Julia Waite, Kyle and Laura Waite; and her great-grandchildren Jacob Washington, Joshua Washington, and Joseph Waite; as well as nieces, nephews, and her special caregivers Julie Morrow and Ellen Brooker. No visitation will be observed. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 11 AM at St. Dominic Roman Catholic, 15 Union St., Westfield, NY. Memorials may be made to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, 189 E. Main St., Westfield, NY 14787, or to the Lake Shore Center for the Arts, 11 Union St., Westfield, NY 14787, or to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmont Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Waite family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.