Grace June (Burgess) Tweedie of New Bedford, Massachusetts, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2013, at 97 years old. She was the loving wife of the late John Tweedie.
Born in Fall River in 1916, Grace grew up and lived most of her life in New Bedford. She was the daughter of the late Dora and William Burgess and the stepdaughter of the late Curtis Hardy. She was the sister of Dorothy Hardy, and the late Gladys Swift, Curtis Hardy, Irving Hardy, Rodman Hardy, Daniel Burgess and Hazel Burgess.
Grace was married to John Tweedie in New Bedford in 1936. They met while singing in the choir at St. Mary’s Church. Together, they were active in the Lay Apostolate of Holy Cross Fathers in Dartmouth.
Grace loved to host holiday parties for all the children at 34 Hunter Street, where she lived for many years. There were Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween Parties and Homemade Circuses for all the children to enjoy. She never stopped caring for and cooking for others. As a member of the Ladies Group at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, she knit dishcloths and baby hats for the hospital. She cooked for friends that were sick or in need, and she welcomed many people into her home with the utmost respect and hospitality.
She leaves behind her daughter Carol Markey and her husband Jack, her son Robert Tweedie and his dear friend Carol Galego, and her daughter-in-law Dorothy Tweedie, loving wife to her son, the late Dennis Tweedie. Grace also leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews.
Although she baked her special brownies and congo bars for the Buttonwood Grille for years, Grace baked them more often for her 11 grandchildren and her 28 great-grandchildren, whom she loved very much and in whose presence her eyes always twinkled a little brighter. She passed peacefully after gracefully aging and sharing her love and wisdom with family and friends in her last years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Grace’s honor to the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center at 226 Great Neck Road, Wareham, MA 02571, or to the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home at 200 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Wednesday, September 4th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd from 4-7 PM.