Grace E. Gelinas, 91, formerly of Bennett St., Woonsocket, died Saturday morning at The Holiday in Manville. She was the wife of the late Eugene D. Gelinas.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Ethel (Laframboise) Gervais. She was raised and educated in Ottawa and came to the United States in 1958.
Mrs. Gelinas, along with her late husband, was the owner and operator of the former Gene’s Variety Store on Willow St. in Woonsocket for many years. Mr. & Mrs. Gelinas closed the store when they retired in the late 1980s.
Grace enjoyed a full and active retirement including participating in activities at Precious Blood Church, bingo, walking and spending time with friends. She especially loved traveling and was a member of the Royal Travelers. She visited many destinations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
The family is profoundly grateful to all the caregivers and staff of The Holiday for the loving care that Grace received while she lived there for the past several years.
She is survived by a son, Alan E. Gelinas of Woonsocket, a daughter Madeleine T. Gaboury, and her husband John J. Gaboury, of North Smithfield, and her granddaughter, Jill Gaboury of North Smithfield. She was the sister of Stanley, George, and Ronald Gervais, all of Canada, and the late Arthur, Lonny, Joseph, Wallace, and Nelson Gervais, and Doris Nicholson. She is also survived by her extended family of several generations of nieces and nephews both in the U.S. and Canada.
Her funeral will be Tuesday at 9:00 am from the Menard Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave., Woonsocket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Precious Blood Church, Carrington Ave., Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-7 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Activities Fund, c/o The Holiday, 30 Sayles Hill Rd., Manville, RI. 02838.
www.menardfuneralhome.com