Grayce Chesler Obituary (2007) - Scottsdale, Arizona

Chesler, Grayce G., age 82, died peacefully at Hospice of Arizona, in Scottsdale, AZ on Dec. 13, 2007. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Merrill; son, Steve; her older siblings, Harold, Florence and Oscar Rosenthal; and her parents, Ida & Abraham Rosenthal. She is survived by her 3 children, Paula, Larry and his 3 children, Matt, Aaron and Rachael, and Brad & wife, Jean and their 3 children, Caitlin, Ryan and Zachary. Grayce had been a joyful surprise, a late in life baby, for Ida & Abe, whose doctor had told them that Ida “most probably had a tumor”. Instead they had a beautiful blue-eyed baby girl, named Grace, on July 1 1925. She added the “y” and the middle name of Geraldine when she was in 6th grade; and henceforth was known as Grayce Geraldine. Later she attended Trenton State Teachers College, graduating with a teaching degree. Although prepared to teach history & English in junior high school, she ended up teaching 4th, 5th & 6th grades in Trenton, New Jersey’s toughest, poorest neighborhood before meeting her “one true love”, her beloved Mame. She was one of the lucky ones who met and married her “one and only” at a young age. She had met her beloved Mame while visiting her brother, Harold in Minneapolis in July of 1948. They married on Dec. 29, 1948, following a whirlwind courtship that had begun with a proper introduction arranged by a yenta named Sarah. The infamous marriage proposal, “So what kind of ring do you want?” became woven into the fabric of family love. As so many of her generation did, she chose to be a stay-at-home mom. Caring for her family was the greatest joy of her life. Then, following all her hard work, she was finally able to enjoy retirement with her dear Mame in Scottsdale, AZ. Although life presented her with many challenges as time has gone on, it has now become apparent that she handled these challenges with enormous grace and aplomb. This is what will be remembered, what will be the one most important lesson she taught us all, thus becoming her true legacy. Funeral service MONDAY (TODAY) 12 NOON, UNITED HEBREW BROTHERHOOD CEMETERY CHAPEL, 70 ½ & Thomas Ave. S., Richfield. Memorials preferred to Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman Discretionary Fund @ Temple Israel. Family and friends will gather immediately after the funeral service at 11518 Cedar Pass, Minnetonka.