Grayce Lillian Roatch (henley-neel) Obituary
| Graduation Year |
Class of 1940 |
| Date of Passing |
Dec 07, 2016 |
| About |
Grayce (Ginger) positively influenced generations of children and families she taught and helped repair their relationships through her genealogy work. Nationally accredited as a Master Teacher and most of all as a great friend to hundreds. She "let go" and moved up a higher adventure at 5:32 pm pacific on Dec 7th 2016. Ironically this was Pearl Harbor day which began the US into WWII and Grayce was one of the heroic women battleship welders at Swan Island (Portland shipyards) Oregon that produced hundreds of ships in life or death record times and were commended as a vital part of winning the pacific war. Also she (known as Ginger and her friend known as SNAP) helped at the USO at night while welding in the day. They did jitterbug and swing with the guys shipping out. No drinking or smoking or foolishness. Just loved to dance and get people doing better; something she did so her whole life including square dancing into mid 2000s. John and Marge Roatch Wilson were her siblings. John graduated from Ellsworth as well. Both have passed. She had two great loves Roy Henley, then Dick Neel totaling 65 of her 94 years. Generations of repaired families and literate children carrying on their families remembered Grayce (Ginger) all the way until her passing. Her vibrant personality and giving nature will sorely be missed. Her photo with her son Rick is already on the site from 2008. Included is another photo with her in center and granddaughter on her right and old friend Jean on her left. If someone who knew her wants a copy of the written celebration of her life with photos. Please request it at:globalrick@att.net She is at a better place and we all are doing well now. Thank you. |
