Gracia Morway

OXFORD - Gracia Clark Morway, 78, of Carbuncle Drive, passed away peacefully at UMass Memorial Medical Center, with her family by her side. She is survived by five children, Thomas G. Morway Sr. and his companion Donna Lamothe of Spencer, Lois J. Harrison and husband Bill of Oxford, William C. Morway and his fiancée Pam D'Angelo of Auburn, Betty S. Ziegler and husband Tom, of Dudley, and Bernard R. Morway and wife Kathy of San Jose, CA; ten grandchildren, Thomas G. Morway Jr., Jennifer Morway, Margo Harrison, Jesse and Joshua Ziegler, Tiana Cronin and Angelica Morway, Daniel and Jessica Morway, and finally, Sam Harrison, who has been a primary caregiver and best buddy to his Grandmother for many years, she picked Sam's birthday to begin her new journey. Gracia has four great grandchildren, Ethan and Avery Morway, and Lukas and Sophia Balestracci; and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband of 27 years William G. Morway of Webster and several years later met and lived with her best friend and companion, Richard Shepard of Oxford, who died in 1999. Gracia had two brothers, John Clark and Richard Clark, who was a casualty of WW II at age 21. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Francis and Helen (Newton) Clark, and was a lifelong resident of Oxford, and had always lived on the shores of her beloved Carbuncle Pond. She graduated from Oxford High School and Salter Secretarial School in Worcester. Gracia Morway was a Teller and Customer Service Representative at the Webster Five Cents Savings Bank in Webster for 12 years, retiring many years ago. Previously, she had worked as a school bus driver in Oxford for many years, a job that she truly loved. She was an extremely active member of the First Congregational Church in Oxford, her second home, serving as Secretary and Treasurer for many decades, a member of the church's choir and bell choir, and served on countless Church committees throughout her life. Gracia was equally dedicated as a member of the Oxford Woman's Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as President, Secretary, and Treasurer for both Organizations. She was very artistic, enjoyed painting and sketching, loved the outdoors, and just loved life. Her family owned and operated Carbuncle Park for many years, and she worked there as a lifeguard, swimming instructor, and a do-it-all person. She will be remembered as a humbled, kind, giving, upbeat, always on-the-go woman who had a personality that was larger than life, always with a kind word and a smile. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the First Congregational Church, 355 Main St., Oxford. Following the service, there will be a gathering with refreshments in the church hall. Burial will be private. Memorial calling hours are Friday, April 24, 2008, from 5-8 p.m. at Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church, 355 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540.