EAST SUMNER – Grace Chesley, 89, died Friday, May 9, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born March 16, 1919, in Buckfield, the daughter of William and Melinda Fearron. She and her sister Mary moved to Houlton when she was seven. There, the Rev. William and Grace Chase raised her. She attended schools in Houlton.

She married Alfred Chesley on Dec. 31, 1938. They moved to East Sumner, where she spent her remaining years.

She was very active in her community, where she was a member of the Mother’s Club, the Sumner Historical Society, Buckfield Literacy Club, Mountain View Chapter Eastern Star and East Sumner Grange.

She was a longtime member of the Congregation Church in East Sumner, where she was active in the Women’s Fellowship.

Grace worked for many years in Cole’s General Store in East Sumner, where her warm smile and friendly face greeted many people in the community.

She is survived by her children, Melinda Johnson of West Plains, Mo., Paul and his wife, Elizabeth, of Cumberland, Merriel Perry and her husband, Robert, and Russell and his wife, Marilyn, of East Sumner.

She also leaves 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Alfred, in 1984; and a daughter, Martha Douglass, in 2004.