Grace Joy Sailer

BURLINTON, NC --- Mrs. Grace Joy Sailer died peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning April 6, 2019.  At 91 years old, she leaves behind a life well-lived and is once again dancing with her darling Kenneth Robert Sailer who preceded her in death February 28, 2001.

The older of two daughters, Grace was born to Gerald John and Helen Bohle Kusenberg   March 19, 1928 in West New York, New Jersey.  The family moved to Verona, New Jersey when Grace was 12 and she spent happy years with her sister Gladys and friends before matriculating to Bowling Green State University in Ohio.  Grace was President of the Mortar Board Society, VP of the BGSU Women's Association and a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.  She earned a Bachelor's degree in Education and taught Language Arts and History in Hanover Township, NJ for ten years. In addition to teaching, Grace was the middle school roller-skating advisor where she applied her dancing skills on the rink. After retiring from teaching, Grace maintained her love of language. She was an avid reader and wrote letters throughout her lifetime to family, sorority sisters, friends from all over and many elected officials. She was witty and not afraid to share her opinions. She imbued, in her daughters and grandchildren, the experiences and intrigues that could be lived through literature. She was always ready to discuss a favorite book and it broke our hearts when she could no longer read or listen to books.

Grace and Ken met in New Jersey on a New Year's Eve blind date which was arranged by sorority sisters.  When Grace opened the door and saw that Ken was far taller than she, she gladly traded her flats for heels. They were married June 23, 1952 and spent nearly 50 years together.  Twenty plus years of those years were on Mt. Vernon Way in Whippany, NJ. In 1976, AT&T relocated the Patent Licensing office from 222 Broadway, NYC to Greensboro, N.C. and Grace and Ken built a home on Nottingham Lane in Burlington.  They met many neighbors via their nightly strolls around Burlington. This was a ritual that they continued until Ken was no longer able to join his Gracie.

Both Grace and Ken were active members of the American Contract Bridge League, the Alamance County and Burlington Duplicate Bridge Clubs. Grace also was an active member of the Dogwood Garden Society, the Mecurri Book Club and a Board member of the Friends of the Burlington Library.  She and Ken enjoyed dancing with the After Five Dance club and at the Alamance Country Club. They loved gardening and planting new varieties of camellias. They travelled extensively and were wonderfully involved grandparents with their seven grandchildren. The other “love” in Grace’s life were her furry felines. Starting with black kitten Inky in 1966, Grace was rarely without one or two cats. We don’t think she ever met a cat she didn’t like. Even during her last days, she wanted to know how the family cats were doing and what gifts of prey may have been gifted to each household.

Grace is survived by daughters Gail Sailer (former son-in-law Richard T. Huegli, Jr.) of Edmonds, WA; Mrs. Lori (Tim) Rowe of Chapel Hill, NC; Mrs. Cindy (Kenzie Parks) Easter of Lexington, NC; sister Mrs. Gladys Van Brederode of Spencerport, NY and seven grandchildren: Cash Kenzie Easter of Salt Lake City, UT; Jordan Sailer Huegli of Denver, CO; Dillon Sailer Easter of Raleigh, NC; Carlin Elizabeth Huegli of NYC; Julia Bailey Rowe of Boston, MA; McKenzie Downs Easter of Lexington, NC and Dana Grace Rowe of Chapel Hill, NC. Whether they referred to her as Grandma or Mama Grace, all of them cherished outings with her to the Burlington Carousel. They knew Grandma would give them a run for their money during Jeopardy, she loved listening to their stories and reading their letters and she’d commiserate with them on the environment’s impact on wildlife and our natural world.

The family would like to express appreciation for those who provided care to Grace. There were the regular visiting angels who helped her to laugh and stay connected, the caring Brookwood staff, the dedicated professionals who saw her through her many physical challenges and her long-time friends who continued to write and phone even as the conversations became more difficult.
A memorial service will be held at noon, June 1st at the First Presbyterian Church, 508 West Davis Street, Burlington, NC.  The family will greet friends after the church service and then at a reception at the home of Lori and Tim Rowe in Chapel Hill.

Memorials may be made to the Burlington Library or the Humane Society of Alamance County.

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