Cone, Grace E. .It is with deep sadness and with difficult words that the family of Grace
Kelly Cone announces her passing on December 28, 2012 at Hartford Hospital after a brief
illness. Grace was born in Hartford, on July 5, 1926 to Thomas and Eva Kelly and was raised in
the Frog Hollow section of the city and often spoke of the many fond memories. Grace was
married to Wallace Cone Sr. in 1946 until his death on January 31, 2011. They moved to Rocky
Hill in 1969. She was a communicant of the St. James Roman Catholic Church in Rocky Hill,
dedicating countless volunteer hours in the St. James Women's Club and the Strawberry
Festivals. Grace was a religious Education Instructor and a Eucharistic Minister and was the first
woman to become a Trustee in the St. James Parish. In 2009, she was a recipient of the St.
Joseph's award. Given annually, the medal of appreciation honors one person from a parish
who has exemplified faithful service to the parish over a period of several years. Grace was a 25
year employee of the Aetna Life and Casualty and a member of the 49ers retiree group. Grace
was also a Foster Mom to numerous handicapped and physically challenged children over the
years. She was the original multi-tasker, long before the term became a household word. Over
the years, Grace overcame her own physical disabilities and was a 30 year breast cancer
survivor. Grace had a passion for the shoreline and spent summers with her family for over 25
years at Hawks Nest Beach, Green Hill Beach, Rhode Island and Cape Cod. Grace and her
husband loved to travel, visiting Hawaii, and vacationed for several years in Cancun, Mexico.
Grace and her husband were also long time members of the Bayreuthers Yacht Club in Niantic,
Ct. where they enjoyed spending their time on the vessel "Wally's Gig". Over the past four years
she had resided with her son and daughter-in-law celebrating each and every day with them as
family. Her determination and life spirit filled each day with pleasure. Grace looked forward to
the making of wine and became the official "taste tester", and shared special and cherished
moments with Debbie as they grew a special bond over time. Grace was proud of her Irish"
heritage and was a member of the Irish American Home Society. Grace was predeceased by her
husband and Sons-in-law, James Foley and Dr. Anselm Schurgast. She leaves her children,
Wallace C. Cone Jr. and his wife Deborah Stickels Cone of Rocky Hill, Ct. Kevin Cone and his wife
Bonnie Cone of East Haddam, Ct, and Sandra Cone-Foley, of Meriden, Ct, her grandson Patrick J
Cone and his wife Amy Cone of Rocky Hill, Ct, her Brother Thomas Kelly of Newington, Ct.,
Brother-in-Law Arnold Cone and his wife Linda of Agawam Ma., several nieces, nephews, great
nieces and nephews. Grace will be deeply missed by her home companion Kathy, who cared for
her over the past several months. Kathy's friendship, love and compassion helped in ways that
cannot be measured. Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family on Wednesday,
(January 2, 2013) from 5- 8 pm at the Dillon- Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike,
Wethersfield, Ct. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Thursday (January 3,
2013) at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, Ct. Friends are asked to
go directly to the church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Memorial
donations in memory of Grace may be made to the Town of Rocky Hill, Human Services "Special
Needs Fund", 699 Old Main Street, Rocky Hill, Ct 06067.To share a memory with the family,
please visit www.dillonbaxter.com