Grace Luella Harshaw Luptak, age 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at the Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, North Carolina. It was always a Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day tradition for Grace and her family to spend together as a family. She and her husband John loved to travel within the continental United States and abroad. During their travels, Grace loved to sight see and shop in all the unique stores and shops. She was the Valedictorian in her High School Class of 1956. Grace was a big fan of the Gastonia Botanical Gardens and playing Bunko with her neighbors. Church was very important to her, she was very active in the Women of First Presbyterian and was a member of First Presbyterian for over 31 years. During Grace’s professional life, she was an Executive Assistant for Niagara Therapy Manufacturing Corporation of Stanley, North Carolina for over 30 years. Grace will be missed greatly by her family and friends.
Those left behind to cherish Grace’s memories and carry on her legacy are her son and daughter in law: Richard and Connie Luptak of Shelby, North Carolina; two step daughters and husbands: Beth and Brian Bair of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, Sally and Patrick Saulsbery of Charlotte, North Carolina; four sisters and brothers in law: Frances “Frannie” and Paul Kurt of The Villages, Florida, Elizabeth Field of The Villages, Florida, Sherry Carty of Washington, DC, Darlene and Burt Tuell of California; one brother and sister in law: Larry and Bonnie Harshaw of The Villages, Florida; two sisters in law: Eva Jean Harshaw (wife of Chuck) of Cold Water, Michigan, Faye Harshaw (wife of Jack) of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Grace was the daughter of the late John Milo Harshaw and Clara Elizabeth Ramsey Harshaw. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, John Luptak who passed in 2009. Also preceding her were one sister and brother in law: Betty and Lyle McGuire; two brothers: Chuck Harshaw and Jack Harshaw; two brothers in law: Bill Field (husband of Elizabeth), John Carty (husband of Sherry).
A Life Well Celebrated Ceremony will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday ~ September, 4, 2018 in the Chapel of Carothers Funeral Home, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia, North Carolina with Reverend John H. Stanley to deliver words of comfort and hope to Grace’s family and friends. Special music to be played by Helen Dix. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum of Peace at Gaston Memorial Park.
The family will receive guests from 10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Women’s Fund, 1621 East Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, North Carolina 28054.
Expressions of love and fond memories nay be made on Grace’s guestbook at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is compassionately serving the family of Grace Luptak.
