Grafton – Martha G. (Kalashian) Kaleza, 92, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015 following an illness.
She leaves her daughter, Grace Elizabeth Quist and her husband Richard; her grandchildren, Rebeccah Quist and her fiancé’ Patrick Sheridan and Rachel, Robert, and Rosellen Quist; and her nephew, George H. Kalashian of Holden. Her four siblings predeceased her.
Martha was born June 26, 1922 in Worcester, daughter of the late Martha (Aharonian) and George S. Kalashian. She grew up on Burncoat Street where her family had its roots and owned Velvet Ice Cream for many years.
She worked as an administrative assistant at several companies before retiring from her position as a medical secretary at the former State Mutual Insurance Company in 1992.
Martha found her greatest joy surrounded by her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren who will dearly miss their beloved “Ummah.” You could have easily found Martha at home reading a suspense novel in her favorite chair or watching a John Wayne Western. Baking was another joy in life for her as she always had a plate of cookies ready for her grandchildren when they visited with her.
Always a woman of faith she could often be found listening to or singing her favorite hymns. In her younger days she performed with the Worcester County Light Opera Club, was a soloist at several Worcester-area churches, and sang in her church choir.
Her family would like to thank her visiting R.N., Mindy, and the staff at VNA Care Network and Hospice in Auburn and the nursing team on South 6 at the UMass Memorial Belmont Street campus in Worcester for the compassionate care they gave to Martha.
All are welcome to send a floral arrangement in her memory or make a contribution to St. James Church, 89 Main St.. South Grafton, MA 01560 or the Friends of the Grafton Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA 01519.
All are invited to gather with Martha’s family and friends Tuesday, May 19, from 9-10 a.m., at Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton, followed by the celebration of her funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Church in South Grafton. She will then be laid to rest at Hope Cemetery in Worcester.
Please visit an online guestbook to share a memory of Martha or message with her family at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.
