Obituary of Grace Elaine Dahlgren

Grace Elaine Dahlgren died at the age of 84, peacefully, in her home on 20 Englewood Avenue, on the morning of January 26, 2012. Coincidental with her Irish heritage, Grace was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1927, the daughter of Celia McMahon Elder and David Watt Elder. Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, she was the youngest of their seven children. The family settled in Jamestown in 1937. She graduated from Jamestown High School and continued to live with her parents as she started a career. Her father insisted she not marry until she was at least 21 years old; she obeyed, but four days after her 21st birthday, she married Donald Dahlgren, on March 21, 1948. They started their family, sought adventure by moving to California for four years, and eventually returned to Jamestown where they spent the rest of their lives. Grace had an unwavering faith and was dedicated to her church. For over sixty years, until her health prohibited her, she attended Hillcrest Baptist Church, and its predecessor, The Chandler Street Baptist Church. She was involved in multiple committees and associations including the long-lived and active Homebuilders Association. She served her community through volunteerism at organizations such as the Marvin House, and through participation in groups such as the Allen Park Association and the Jayncees. Grace took great pride in her work. While managing her family she also worked full-time for more than thirty years as a secretary at the Jamestown office of the accounting firm Seidman and Seidman. Her greatest devotion and enthusiasm, however, she saved for her family and friends. They were the recipients of the warmth, comfort, and security of her love. She had the capacity to accept rather than judge, to listen without interrupting, and to foster others to feel significant and confident. Grace lived up to her name and carried herself with a confident charm. She led by example, teaching a multitude of lessons such as a straight back and a firm handshake can say a lot more about a person than a verbose introduction, and that everyone deserves kindness. She had a fun-loving nature and a persistent happiness. Even as the Alzheimer's disease robbed her of the ability to talk and to feed herself she could still muster a heart-warming smile as her husband walked into the room, or yield an approving wink in response to her caregivers touch or her brother's kiss. Her love was strong. Somewhat expectedly, after 63 years of marriage, her death occurred a mere seven months after that of her beloved husband. She is also preceded in death by her parents and all five of her sisters: Cora Mae Kishlock, Edna Mabel Peterson, Sadie Sleigh, Mary Miller, and L. Myrtle Lawson. Grace is survived by her brother, George (Marie Palmer) Elder, and her children, Kathleen (Richard Lewis, Jr.) Dahlgren Lewis of Rochester, N.Y., and Timothy (Diana Rue) Dahlgren of Gig Harbor, Washington. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Kathleen E. Lewis, Christopher D. Lewis, R. Craig Lewis, Kasey Clare Lewis, Caroline E. Lewis, Isabella Dahlgren, and Maya Dahlgren. Friends will be received between six and eight in the evening on Friday, February 3rd at the Lind Funeral Home. There will be a Celebration of Life at Hillcrest Baptist Church on Saturday, February 4th at 11a.m. It will be officiated by Pastor Jerry McCann In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may light a candle in remembrance of Grace at www.lindfuneralhome.com.