Grace M. Willey, 86, a former longtime resident of Hinsdale passed away peacefully on Friday at Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She had resided at 46 Railroad Street in Lee for the past few years. Born on August 17, 1928 in Readsboro, VT she was the daughter of the late John and Stella Day Birch. She grew up and was educated in her hometown of Readsboro, VT where she enjoyed growing up in an old fashioned small town, participating in many community activities. There she met her childhood sweetheart "Sy" Willey whom she was married to for sixty-five years when he passed. She loved spending time with family and friends all while she and "Sy" cultivated deep roots in the community. They were the kind of people who took what God gave them and enjoyed all the important things that life had to offer. Their faith and family being the most important. Grace was a proud homemaker and at one time had worked as a cook at the Village Inn in Lenox and at the Readsboro Cottage House in Vermont. She also enjoyed driving across the country with her late husband "Sy". Grace was a member of Berkshire Hills Baptist Church. She enjoyed swimming, bowling, playing cards, motorcycling and snowmobiling. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. She leaves a son; Richard D. Willey and his wife "Reni" of Cheshire. Three daughters; Jean E. Reynolds and her husband Harold "Moe" Reynolds of Lee, Margaret "Peggy" DeSantis and her husband Bill of Tyringham and Janet M. Willey and her husband Gary of Tyringham. She also leaves her two brothers; James Birch of Florida, MA and Robert Birch of Readsboro, VT. Fourteen grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her late husband; Josiah "Sy" Willey whom she married on August 21, 1946 in Stamford, VT. He died on July 26, 2011. She was also predeceased by two brothers; Clinton "Bub" Birch and John "Jack" Birch and by two sisters; Mary Barlow and Martha Durphy.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Memorial Service for Grace M. Willey who died May 1, 2015 will be held Wednesday at 2:00 PM at Berkshire Hills Baptist Church, 190 Pleasant St. Lee, MA. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private in Maple Street Cemetery in Hinsdale. Memorial donations in memory of Grace may be made to Berkshire Hills Baptist Church in care of the DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.

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