Grace Lord

February 21, 1925 - January 1, 2021

Grace Bruner Lord, 95, formerly of Northville, passed away peacefully on January 1 from complications due to COVID-19 in Moreau, NY. Grace was born on February 21, 1925 in Monroe, Virginia, to James Willis and Claudine Joyner Bruner. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bruce, brothers J. Cooley, Arthur, Albert; and sister Anne Bruner Woo. Grace graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1941 and from Phillips Secretarial College in Lynchburg, VA in 1942. She then went to work in Washington, D.C. as a clerk-stenographer in the Department of the Army. She met Bruce (a Sergeant in the Army) when they were both stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, and were married there in July 1952. They returned to the US in 1953 and resided in Schenectady, Chestertown, and Northville. Grace was a Northville resident for over 50 years. In 1979 she began her new career in insurance and obtained her insurance broker's license. In 1990 Grace retired from Community Insurance Agencies Inc. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as Sunday School Superintendent, Church Secretary, and on the Administrative Board. Grace took part in the Handbell Choir and led the Methodist Youth Fellowship group for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Women. Grace played an active role in the development of the Thrift Shop. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Northville Civic Association, Northville Cemetery Association, and other community service groups. Grace was instrumental in the establishment of the Northville Public Library. Grace loved to attend various events at the school, especially basketball. She had a special seat in the old Northville gymnasium, and would also drive her Oldsmobile Cruiser in a snowstorm just to watch a basketball game. Grace loved to travel and went to Australia, the British Isles, China, Egypt, the Holy Land, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain, Tahiti, and the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany. Grace will be greatly missed by her family and friends for her caring and nurturing spirit and love of giving. She is survived by her children David (Betsy)Lord of Odenton, MD; Jeffrey (Roxanne) Lord of Yorktown,VA; Deborah (Denny) Byrne of Fremont, NH; and Beth (Harold) McKinney of Queensbury, NY, 7 grandchildren; Brandon (Renee) Lord, Colin (Tara) Byrne, Nick Lord, Amanda Lord, Alex (Serena) Lord, Bruce (Kristin) Lord, Caitlin (Rick) Laughton, 6 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Home of the Good Shepherd, Moreau, and especially to Madison Zuis, N.P., of Hudson Headwaters Health Network, and to Alice Benfey of the Community Hospice of Saratoga for all the loving care they provided to Grace. A funeral service will be held in May at a time to be announced when it will be possible for Grace’s family and friends to gather to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Grace's memory to the First United Methodist Church of Northville, 301 S. Main St., Northville, NY 12134, or to the Community Hospice of Saratoga County, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Northville Funeral Home. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.