Wilma Anne Grant died unexpectedly in her home in Canton on Friday, May 22, 2009. Born February 26, 1930 in Yonkers, NY to William H. and Anna F. Schwiebert, she was the loving wife of John Kenneth Grant for 48 years until his death June 22, 1998. She was pre-deceased by her beloved sister Ethel Carberry and is survived by her loving and much beloved brother William Schwiebert of Fishkill NY. She will live on in her four children and their families: Susan Grant Barber and husband Dennis of Putnam Valley NY, Kenneth Grant and wife Sharon of Dover MA, Richard Grant and wife Karyn of Sudbury MA, and Kathy Anderson and her husband Steven of Canton MA. She marveled at the faces of her grandchildren: John Barber and his wife Heather; Katy and Taylor Grant; Marcus, Grant Dillon, Eric, Ethan, and Jesse Anderson and his fiancée Ines Roque; and great-granddaughter Samantha Barber. We would be remiss to not mention the many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and very special friends separated by miles who continued to mean so much to her throughout the years.
During her rich and vibrant life, Wil continued to celebrate her family at every opportunity, taking special interest in the events and accomplishments of each of them. If you were important to her children, you were important to her. In her earlier years she was an active parent in the Yonkers community, donating time and attention to her childrens’ schools, Christ the King Church, and the parish as a whole. In later years she enjoyed volunteering at local museums in New York as well as in Montreal where she and Ken lived for a time. Wilma loved the arts and was a gifted artist in her own right. She was an avid tennis player and an enthusiastic fan throughout her life. She and Ken were long-time members of the Amackassin Club in Yonkers, one of the oldest tennis clubs in the US. After moving to Massachusetts, they quickly established themselves in the senior tennis group at Mill Pond in Hanover, where they enjoyed themselves immensely. She took pride in cooking, loved music, the city, dancing, and traveling, and enjoyed walking the beach year-round.
Above all, the essence of Wil was her unconditional and unstinting love and support of her family and friends. She touched countless lives in so many positive ways, more than she probably imagined, and her death has left many bereft of her presence.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church 700 Washington St. Canton on Monday, June 29 at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support the tennis program of the City Parks Foundation of New York City. Please specify Youth Tennis Program in honor of Wilma Grant. Please make checks payable to City Parks Foundation and mail to City Parks Foundation, 830 Fifth Avenue, Room 280, New York, NY 10021, 212-360-1399. Or donate via the web at www.cityparksfoundation.org. Choose the donation tab, indicating in honor of Wilma Grant and for the sports program, with a notation “Youth Tennis Program.” Arrangements by the Roache-Pushard Family Funeral Home 210 Sherman St, Canton 781-828-2929.