NATICK: Grace McClary Ratigan of Natick, Massachusetts, passed away on August 20th at the age of 90. She is survived by daughters Maureen Ratigan of Natick, Massachusetts, and Elaine Wilde of Great Falls, Virginia, son Terrence Ratigan and daughter-in-law Jennifer Topping of New Rochelle, New York, grandchildren Kerry Ratigan, Michael Wilde, Colleen Wilde, Timothy Ratigan, Lucas Ratigan and Joanna Ratigan, as well as great-grandson Benjamin Ratigan Marchl.
Grace was born to Margaret and William McClary of Union City, New Jersey, and was the youngest of their seven children. As a teenager during World War II, she did everything she could think of to help the war effort, including donating blood and achieving membership in the "Gallon Club." In 1947, she married the love of her life, Raymond Ratigan, also of Union City, and they were married for 65 years until he passed away in January of 2013. Grace and Ray lived in the New York metropolitan area for many years and also lived in Virginia and North Carolina before moving to Massachusetts to be closer to their children.
Poetry was one of Grace's many passions from the time she was small. Throughout her life, and even into her last days, she had an uncanny ability to identify and recite beautiful verse from memory that would capture perfectly the emotion of a moment. She loved to create poetry and stories herself, and aspired to be a writer after her schooling. Her family came first, however, and she devoted herself selflessly and tirelessly to her three children. Her creative birthday parties were legendary, but she also was the first to volunteer for roles such as class mom or school librarian. She was also a terrific cook. Neighborhood children and adults alike loved to be invited to dinner at the Ratigans’, which often included home-made cakes and pies.
Like Ray, Grace had a strong interest in history as well as local and national politics. She was active in the community and was a grassroots force behind the construction of the first public high school in Waldwick, New Jersey.
When her children were grown, Grace decided, with some trepidation, to seek work outside her home for the first time in more than 25 years. She worked her way from administrative assistant to controller of a national association, and was especially pleased that her work provided the opportunity for occasional travel.
She and Ray travelled extensively during their retirement years, to Europe, Asia and Africa. Also in retirement, she volunteered for community services such as Meals on Wheels and Project Head Start. In addition, she put her financial and accounting skills to work as volunteer controller for her local ambulance corps. She did find time in retirement for her favorite game, however, and became an accomplished bridge player.
Grace took great pride in her children and grandchildren and once travelled halfway around the world by herself to Mozambique for a visit with her son, daughter-in-law and their three young children. She loved all her children and grandchildren with all her heart, as well as her great-grandson who arrived on the scene just two years ago.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Grace's life will be held on Friday, August 26th starting at 11:00 at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home , 4 Park Street on Natick Common, followed by a gathering at the Grace's home.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to either:
Meals on Wheels America:
https://www.mowaa.org/donate.
Red Cross Louisiana Flood Response:
https://www.redcross.org/donate/louisiana-floods-summer-2016.