Gracia S. Henry

Gracia S. Henry of Rogue River passed away on April 26, 2013. She was 97 years old when she broke her hip and passed a few days later.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m., May 17, 2013 at the VFW Post 4116 with Pastor Dan O’Donnell officiating.

Gracia was born in La Habra, California to the late Millard and Bessie Stearman on October 21, 1915. She was married to her late husband, George W. Twaddell for 40 years before he passed.

She is preceded in death by her second husband Howard, her sister Helen and her daughter Valerie Somerville.

Gracia is survived by four generations, including her two children, Karen L. Houseman, David Twaddell and stepdaughter Donna Herter.

Gracia is remembered by the many veterans for who she volunteered at VFW Post 4116 in Rogue River, Oregon and the VA Domiciliary in White City, Oregon. Gracia served as Chaplin for the Women’s Auxiliary, volunteered at the bingo kitchen, spent countless hours making baked goods for the sweet toothed veterans as well as knitting them slippers, and entertaining them with her wonderful singing voice while she sang with the groups The Leftovers and The Serenaders. Gracia volunteered in every way which she was able, and she lived her life in a manner that inspired us all to be better people.

She was a kind-hearted, sweet, and a very classy lady who felt happiest when she was making others happy.

Gracia will also be remembered by her former bowling team, the Cadi Whompers, with whom she bowled until she hurt her shoulder at the age of 93 and refused to use a lighter weight ball.

As a young woman, Gracia was a union member while employed by the Kieffer Cannery in Whittier, California and when hundreds of union men were sent to New York City as representatives, Gracia was one of only six women selected to attend.

As a member of our nation’s greatest generation, Gracia survived the great depressions just as her parents survived the great dust bowl that displaced them from their home in Oklahoma years earlier.

Gracia has left her family with a legacy of strength of character and selflessness.

Rest in peace Gracia, you are dearly loved.