Marie T. Grant

   Marie Therese (Guilfoyle) Grant, 97, formerly of Leicester, was carried home by the angels on Sunday, February 12th.   Marie was Born on Grafton Hill in Worcester to Helen J (Sweeny) and William J Guilfoyle. She was predeceased by her siblings, Thomas Guilfoyle, Richard Guilfoyle, and Barbara Borbone. She attended St Stephen’s school, after which she worked for the Ration Board and the GI Benefits Departments in Worcester. After marrying Richard Grant, Marie lived in Shrewsbury for several years before moving to Leicester, where she and Dick raised their six children. There she was involved in the Leicester Women’s Club, the Hillcrest Water District, the Dawn Acres Association, and the Boy Scouts, among other interests.

Marie enjoyed and was very talented in sewing, quilting, ceramics, and other arts and crafts. She also loved playing cards, Scrabble, crossword puzzles and Farkle. She always said they helped to keep her mind sharp.  She was a fabulous cook and loved to feed her family, friends, and all who stopped by. Marie was always helping others, making sure she shared what she had. She always made people, family, friend or stranger, welcome.

Marie loved her home in Leicester, having lived there for 65 years. Many of her days would be enjoyed on her back deck, surrounded by the sights and sounds of birds and hummingbirds, squirrels and neighboring chickens. Her favorite birds were the cardinals, and she made sure that they, and all birds, were sufficiently fed with birdseed and suet. She loved flowers and bushes and tended her beautiful gardens for many years. She had a natural green thumb for both her indoor and outdoor plants. Fortunately, her daughter, Christine, continued to maintain the gardens for Marie’s pleasure when it became too difficult for her.

Marie had a lot of Irish spirit, even traveling to Ireland at age 82 for her granddaughter’s wedding. Her faith was also extremely important to her, and she was a member of St Jude Chapel in Rochdale for many years. She was devoted to St. Anthony, whom she referred to as ‘Tony’, and St. Therese, ‘the Little Flower’. Marie was also a faithful weekly attendee at Al’s Golden Chateau, where she entertained Al Lapan, owner, and other friends with her wit and off-beat humor. She never failed to make people laugh.

Marie and Dick were married 59 years before his passing in 2006. She is also predeceased by her children Jamie Grant and Colleen (O’Brien), and her grandson Rick Grant.

Marie leaves behind her daughters Cathleen Grant of Worcester, Maureen Meriano of Brookfield, Eileen Terrill (Rick) of Shrewsbury, with whom she made her home, and Christine Rock (Dan) of Clayton, CA. She also leaves her daughter-in-law Patricia (Garrepy) Grant,

12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, extended family, and devoted friends, all who love her very much. We all agree, “there’ll never be another Grammy Marie!”

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, February, 16th from 9:00-10:30 AM in Callahan Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home,  61 Myrtle St, Worcester, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM in St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd, Shrewsbury.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Worcester County Foodbank, 474 Boston Turnpike Road, Shrewsbury. Https://www.foodbank.org .

In memory of Marie, please wear something red, her favorite color, and keep her in your heart.