Grace Hays Reese
– November 1, 2018
Grace Hays Reese, age 98, died on November 1, 2018, in Simsbury, Connecticut.
Grace was born to Norman B. and Harriet Sage Hays near Calgary, Alberta, Canada, while her American parents and grandparents were ranching on the Canadian prairie. After a move to the Oregon coast, the family returned to the East for her father to study optometry.
Grace grew up as the oldest, with five younger brothers in the New York state western tier, graduating from Youngstown High School.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She attended a small liberal arts college in Hiram, Ohio before returning to work in her father’s practice. She enjoyed horseback riding and was a strong swimmer.
Grace married Merle W. Reese on June 1, 1940, at the Youngstown Presbyterian Church with a reception at her family home. Merle and Grace lived several places in New York State before moving in 1948 to Plattsburgh, where they raised their four children. As the children grew, Grace started back to college at Plattsburgh State (now SUNY Plattsburgh), which was conveniently located on the next block from their home.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Two years after WPTZ TV came on the air, Grace spent several years hosting and producing a live afternoon television show, “Hospitality House.” She arranged for the guests and did on-air interviews, cooking demonstrations and commercials. When she finished her undergraduate and then master’s degrees, she joined the Plattsburgh State faculty in Home Economics Education and then as Foreign Student Advisor.
Upon retirement, Merle and Grace embarked on restoring old houses in Essex and Westport, in Essex County, New York. They enjoyed traveling abroad and began spending winters in Florida, first in Ocala, then Sun City Center for nearly 30 years. Grace moved North in 2011 to be nearer her children. Grace enjoyed golf and won championships at both her northern and southern courses. Grace also enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and keeping up with current events and national politics. She was an active member of her Unitarian Universalists group in Florida where she was president of the group twice. She was accomplished at clothing design, tailoring, construction and also knitting.
Merle and Grace had 55 wonderful years of marriage before his death in 1995. Grace is also predeceased by brothers David, Paul, Jim and Sidney Hays.
She is survived by her children Paul Reese (Bonnie Lichter) of New York City and Port Henry, N.Y.; Marcia Reese (Skip Smith) of Jericho, Vt.; Gail Westenfeld of West Suffield, Conn.; and Sarah Hussa (Rick) of Queensbury, N.Y.; and by nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Harry Brownson “Brownie” Hays.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Grace was born to Norman B. and Harriet Sage Hays near Calgary, Alberta, Canada, while her American parents and grandparents were ranching on the Canadian prairie. After a move to the Oregon coast, the family returned to the East for her father to study optometry.
Grace grew up as the oldest, with five younger brothers in the New York state western tier, graduating from Youngstown High School.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She attended a small liberal arts college in Hiram, Ohio before returning to work in her father’s practice. She enjoyed horseback riding and was a strong swimmer.
Grace married Merle W. Reese on June 1, 1940, at the Youngstown Presbyterian Church with a reception at her family home. Merle and Grace lived several places in New York State before moving in 1948 to Plattsburgh, where they raised their four children. As the children grew, Grace started back to college at Plattsburgh State (now SUNY Plattsburgh), which was conveniently located on the next block from their home.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Two years after WPTZ TV came on the air, Grace spent several years hosting and producing a live afternoon television show, “Hospitality House.” She arranged for the guests and did on-air interviews, cooking demonstrations and commercials. When she finished her undergraduate and then master’s degrees, she joined the Plattsburgh State faculty in Home Economics Education and then as Foreign Student Advisor.
Upon retirement, Merle and Grace embarked on restoring old houses in Essex and Westport, in Essex County, New York. They enjoyed traveling abroad and began spending winters in Florida, first in Ocala, then Sun City Center for nearly 30 years. Grace moved North in 2011 to be nearer her children. Grace enjoyed golf and won championships at both her northern and southern courses. Grace also enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and keeping up with current events and national politics. She was an active member of her Unitarian Universalists group in Florida where she was president of the group twice. She was accomplished at clothing design, tailoring, construction and also knitting.
Merle and Grace had 55 wonderful years of marriage before his death in 1995. Grace is also predeceased by brothers David, Paul, Jim and Sidney Hays.
She is survived by her children Paul Reese (Bonnie Lichter) of New York City and Port Henry, N.Y.; Marcia Reese (Skip Smith) of Jericho, Vt.; Gail Westenfeld of West Suffield, Conn.; and Sarah Hussa (Rick) of Queensbury, N.Y.; and by nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Harry Brownson “Brownie” Hays.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.