Grace Irene Matey

‘Little Lady’ Was A Giant Among Women

Grace Irene Matey, 84, died October 31, at Bethel Home Health Care, after a long illness. Mrs Matey was a long term resident of Connecticut. She was born July 2, 1926, in Bridgeport, the youngest of four children, to Edmund Alexander Sastram and Helen Irene (Manchester) Sastram. Edmund A. Sastram was a conductor on the Yale New Haven Railroad. Both he and Helen were also caretakers of the American Red Cross in Stratford.

She is survived by her four children, including Cheryl Jossick and her husband, Jim, of Newtown, Allison Wildman, Lois Benson, and John Matey; as well as her stepson and stepdaughter, Edward Matey and Marylou Matey. She is survived by six loving grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren; as well as nephews and nieces. She is survived also be her special and dear friend Ms Brigitte M. Britton. Mrs Matey was predeceased by her husband Edward A. Matey; her parents; and three siblings.

Grace was raised in Stratford. During her youth, she was a professional model, modeling under the name of Grace Lawrence.

During World War II, shewas employed at General Electric in Bridgeport. She was also one of the majorettes there to help boost moral and help the war effort. During the 1950s, the Mateys were homesteaders in Anchorage, Alaska.

She was employed until age 72, of which she was at The Hearth, in Brookfield for 30 years. She was a loving mother and grandmother, and her world was her family. She will be greatly missed by many.

Her name suited her, as she was a woman of much “Grace.” She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to dance and read, but her forte was checkers. Not one person in 56-plus years ever beat her — except her grandson, David.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care provided to Mrs Matey by the staff at Bethel Home HealthCare and the doctors, nurses, and aides, for the care they gave to her.

A private cremation will take place.

Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Center of Newtown, PO Box 475, Newtown CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee        November 5, 2010