Mary (Skinner) Grove

Mary (Skinner) Grove, 72, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 13, 2016 after receiving hospice care due to declining health. She was born on February 9, 1944 to Walter and Ruth (Strang) Skinner in Glastonbury, where she grew up on Addison Road and graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1962. She married Thomas Grove in 1964 and had a daughter, Debra, in 1965. They lived in Columbus, Ohio, and Mary returned to Glastonbury in 1975. Mary worked at Multi-Circuits in Manchester as a Master Inspector for several years and then in Expense Accounting for Deloitte and Touche at Ames Corporate office in Rocky Hill. Mary contracted polio when she was 5 years old and, although there were lifelong limitations with her body, her optimistic spirit and deep faith in God were an inspiration to all who knew her. Mary suffered a health crisis in January 2013, which left her permanently on a ventilator, and she had resided for the past four-and-a-half years at Village Green of Bristol. Mary was predeceased by her parents and her favorite aunt, Rose Strang. Mary leaves behind her beloved granddaughter, Natasha, who was her absolute joy in life, Natasha’s husband Henry and great-grandson Henry. Also her devoted friends Laura Rathbun, Susan Noga, Nancy Allbee, Irena Fronckiewicz, Cosby Gutt and family, and Dianne Hedrick. We are extremely grateful for Pastor Eric Stillman who faithfully ministered to Mary in song and scripture on a regular basis during the many years that Mary resided in nursing homes, and to Mary’s many friends at NewLife Fellowship, Wethersfield, where she was a member. Carla, Wayne and Josephine Roggi also held a very special place in Mary’s heart. The family wishes to thank the nurses and care team at Village Green for their care of Mary.

Mary requested that in lieu of flowers any contributions be made to the Benevolence Fund at NewLife Fellowship, 1155 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109. Mary will be cremated and a celebration of her life will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday August 22, 2016 at NewLife Fellowship. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield has been entrusted with arrangements. To share a memory of Mary with her family, please visit www.desopo.com.