BEVERLY: Arlene P. (Ward) Grant, 85, died Saturday, April 14, 2012 in the Cedar Glen Nursing Home, Danvers following a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Alexander M. Grant who died in January 2006.
Born in Beverly on October 2, 1926, she was the daughter of the late James T. and Nellie (Porter) Ward. A lifelong resident of Beverly, Arlene was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Beverly class of 1944.
Arlene was once employed as a mailroom messenger at the former United Shoe Machinery Corp. in Beverly. She also worked as a teacher’s aide at the Hannah Elementary School in Beverly and as a home health aide on the North Shore for several years. She was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, where she was a lector, taught CCD and was a member of its Sodality. She also volunteered for the Cardinal’s Drum and Bugle Corps for many years. Her home was always opened to anyone in need and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth A. Grant of St. Louis, MO; her four sons, Martin A. Grant of W. Palm Beach, FL, Richard G. Grant and his wife, Norma of Beverly, Joseph P. Grant and his wife, Janice of Cape Coral, FL and James T. Grant of Beverly; seven grandchildren, Steven Grant and his wife, Jennifer, Matthew Grant, Elisa Grant, Julie Grant, Thomas Grant, Andrea Johnson and Wesley Johnson; three sisters, Nancy Rowbottom of Bridgewater, Joanne Kennedy and her husband, Jack of Danvers and Gloria Ward of Beverly; two brothers, James Ward, Brian Ward and his wife, Irene all of Florida and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Julian Johnson, a sister-in-law, June Ward and a brother-in-law, George Rowbottom.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly at 9 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 253 Cabot St., Beverly, MA 01915. Interment will be held in the Central Cemetery, Beverly.