M. Grace (macmillan) Vigneau

M. Grace (MacMillan) Vigneau, 96, of East Hartford, peacefully entered into eternal life on Monday (July 6, 2009). Grace was the loving wife of fifty-four years to the late Harold J. Vigneau. Born in Peabody, MA on July 13, 1912, a daughter of the late William and Bertha (Burns) MacMillan, she had resided in East Hartford for over sixty-seven years. Grace was a graduate of Somerville High School-Class of 1930 in Somerville, MA. Prior to her retirement, Grace was employed for thirty-three years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company in East Hartford where she started as a ""Rosie the Riveter"" and later became a Foreman's Clerk. She was a faithful communicant of St. Christopher Church, East Hartford. Grace loved politics and was a long-time member of the East Hartford Democratic Party and a volunteer for the 3rd District in town. She proudly campaigned for Congressman John Larson and State of Connecticut Treasurer, Nancy Wyman. Grace received many citations and awards for her tireless and dedicated contributions to her Democratic Party. She was also a member of the Democratic Women's Club of East Hartford, the East Hartford Woman's Club and the Connecticut General Federation of Woman's Clubs, as well as volunteering at the Southend Senior Center in East Hartford, where she was involved in the publication of the Senior's ""Golden Ager"" news bulletin for the town. However, Grace enjoyed most being a devoted mother and grandmother to her family. Along with her beloved husband and her parents, Grace was predeceased by a daughter, Jane S. Vigneau of East Hartford, and three brothers, William MacMillan, Bernard MacMillan, and Donald MacMillan, all of Massachusetts. Grace is survived by a son, Donald J. Vigneau and his wife, Rita, of Coventry; a daughter, Bette M. Daraskevich and her husband, Gregory A., of East Hartford; a sister, Mildred Maniscalco of Mansfield, MA; five special grandchildren, Erin Mary Dimick and her husband, Brigham, of Edwardsville, IL, David A. Daraskevich and his wife, Elyse, of Milford, MA, Sean J. Vigneau and his wife, Christine, of Newtown, Heidi J. Alexander and her husband, Raymond, of Middletown, Glen O. Daraskevich and his wife, Allison, of Scituate, MA; ten adored great grandchildren: Honor and Gaylen Dimick, Eric, Matthew, Danielle, and Timothy Vigneau, Delaney Alexander, Sasha, Ella, and Gus Daraskevich; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Funeral services will be Friday, July 10, at 10 a.m. from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday, July 9, from 3-7 p.m. Memorial contributions in Grace's memory may be made to the East Hartford Woman's Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Joan Brow, 86 Herbert Drive, East Hartford, CT 06118-3531. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.