Grace M. Hitchener, 92, of Mystic, was called home on November 27th from Avalon Health Care Center.
She was born on Oct. 31, 1915 in Bradford, RI one of seven children born to Andrew and Georgiana Royster. A longtime resident of Mystic she was one of the oldest members of Shiloh Baptist Church in New London. She was the widow of Joel A. Hitchener who she married in 1949.
“Aunt Grace” as she was known to all, leaves behind to celebrate her life and memory, nieces and nephews Edward F. Powers of Mystic, Jo Ann and Harvey Jenkins of Virginia, Jackie and Howard Bell of Maryland, Beverly Royster, Estelle and Norman Harrison, Georgiana Miller, Rosemary Royster, Vivian Royster all of New London, Stanley and Brenda Royster of Quaker Hill and Elaine and Maloyid Perkins of Norwich. She also leaves behind many grand nieces and nephews. Aunt Grace was especially fond of her grand nieces Lynn Powers of Mystic, Lisa Powers of MD, and Sandra Washington of Quaker Hill, and a host of loving family and friends, young and old, who will miss her dearly.
Her 6 siblings Edgar, Ida, Ralph, Sara, George, and Helen predeceased her.
Grace was a hard worker. She left high school at age 16 to start working to help support her mother and siblings and worked steadily until the time of her retirement in 1989. She was one of the first female employees of Electric Boat, working there during World War II. Her work ethic has been a shining example for her family. She was a self-supporting and proud woman never hesitating to voice her opinion. She kept abreast of currant events and was never far from her beloved telephone. Keeping in constant touch with her many relatives, friends and associates was always very important part of her life.
In her retirement, she found time to do volunteer work at Mystic River Homes and was an active member of the Groton Senior Citizens, serving on the by-laws and scholarship committee. In 1990, she received a special recognition award from West Side Middle School for her work with the students.
Her family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Monday from 1pm-1:45pm, immediately followed by a service at 2 pm. The Rev. Dr. Benjamin K. Watts will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot at River Bend Cemetery in Westerly.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church, 1 Garvin St, New London, CT 06320.
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