Salem: Gracia D. ‘Grace’ (Belanger) Raymond, age 98, died at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, Friday, December 31, 2010, following a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Alphonse L. Raymond.
Born and raised in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Marie Louise (Beaulieu) Belanger. As a young woman, Grace worked as the payroll clerk for the Walton Shoe Co. of Chelsea. Following her marriage to Alphonse in 1947, she left the Walton company to devote her time to her family. In the 1960's she returned to work, again as a payroll clerk for Duchess Footwear of Salem and remained with that company until the company moved to New Hampshire.
Grace was a quiet, gentle woman. She was a member of the former St. Joseph Parish of Salem and Les Dames de la Ste. Famille, and was currently a member of Ste. Anne Parish. She loved traveling, dining out, theater, knitting and sewing. Her family would like to especially thank the Visiting Angels of Beverly for their kindness in making Grace’s last days more secure and comfortable.
She is survived by her daughter, Gabrielle L. Raymond of Salem, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 8 a.m. to be followed by her funeral mass in Ste. Anne Church, Jefferson Ave., Salem at 9 a.m. Visiting hours: Tuesday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For guestbook and additional information, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com