Hudson – Grace Anastas, 91, died at her home Wednesday, June 20, 2012, days after witnessing the high school graduation of her youngest grandchild, and celebrating that achievement with family and friends.
Born in Plymouth, the daughter of Joaquim and Engracia Ferriera, immigrants from Bombarral and Villa Nova de Gaia, Portugal, she moved to Hudson at the age of 10, living most of her remaining days with the boy she first met when she was 15, Charlie Anastas, her greatest love.
At the age of 16, she began working in the mills of Hudson. Money was scarce, times were tough, a young woman's dreams of becoming a nurse were no more. But that did not deter her from a life of reading and learning; and from cheering and cajoling her children, grandchildren and anyone that would listen, that an education was the highest achievement in life.
She loved her family ferociously. Her children, Charlene Street and Chuck Anastas, their spouses, Russ Aten and Sharon Britton, and her grandchildren, Lara and Chris Street and Anna and Rebecca Britton-Anastas, will be forever in her debt. She leaves behind her sister, Rose Santos, and her sister-in-law, Ann Alera, lifelong friends, confidants, and conspirators.
And, more recently she took great joy in the company of her wonderful and caring friends and fellow card players, Carol Johnston, Mary Coffey, Ruby DesRocher, and Marge Cronis. And a special thanks to Marcheta Wheeler for her compassion and thoughtfulness in attending to Grace's needs, and to cousins Phil Anastas, Keith, Roberta, and Tom Alera for meals, rides to the doctor's office, the hairdresser, and more.
Grace passed away in the backyard of the home she lived in and loved for over 50 years, with her reading glasses on and her Kindle nearby, true always to the dream of an education, of learning, and of achievement.
A celebration of Grace's life will be held Tuesday, June 26, at 9 a.m., at St. Michaels” Church in Hudson, with burial services to follow at Forestvale Cemetery of Hudson. Calling hours are Monday, June 25, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson.
