Grace Lathrop Willhelm

WALLINGFORD - Grace Lathrop Willhelm, 94, passed away on October 23, 2019 at the Regency House of Wallingford surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late J. Raymond Willhelm. Grace was born on North Main Street in Wallingford on June 19, 1925, daughter of the late Stanley and Hazel (Wimpenny) Lathrop.

Grace is survived by her children: Susan Hannon, Steven Willhelm and Sharon Willhelm. She will be greatly missed by her granddaughter Katharine and her husband Travis Smith. She is also survived by her two sisters, Florence L. Carmody and Betty L. Bartlett. She was predeceased by her brother Stanley P. Lathrop Jr.

She was a lifelong resident of Wallingford, and to anyone’s knowledge, the only veteran employee of Wallingford’s three town hall buildings! She loved her job at the Veteran’s Service Center because it enabled her to do what she did best - identify people in need and help them. The desire to help others continued well into her eighties when she took on helping care for two very special sets of twins: Mae & Ryan and Erin & Michaela, along with her granddaughter, helped keep her young!

She was also a lifelong member of The Wallingford Methodist Church, of which her grandfather, Frank Lathrop, was a co-founder.  Her devotion to family, town and friends was only surpassed by her devotion to God. Well done Good and Faithful Servant.

Grace's family would like to thank everyone at Regency House for taking such wonderful care of her over the last four months. Additionally, they would like to thank Lisa Brouillard for lovingly caring for her, which allowed Grace to stay in her home of 55 years.

In lieu flowers, gifts in Grace’s memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 941 Old Rock Hill Road, Wallingford, CT 06492.

A funeral will be held on Monday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Wallingford First United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors on Sunday, October 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. at The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 South Elm Street, Wallingford. To leave a message of remembrance or for directions, please visit www.BaileyCares.com.

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