Grace Hassett

She graduated from Dunkirk High School and earned a degree in elementary education from Fredonia State Teachers’ College. Following college, Grace moved to Long Island and Cleveland for her first teaching jobs. She recounted fond memories of living in a boarding house with other young women in Cleveland as she began her career. She moved back to Dunkirk and worked as a probation officer for a short time. It was then that she met her future husband, James Hassett. They married in 1958 and moved to Milwaukee and later to Minneapolis. Grace taught second grade until she and Jim welcomed their children, Karen and Mike. They moved back to Dunkirk a few years later and Grace resumed teaching. Her gentle and patient ways made her loved by many second, fourth and fifth graders at Schools Three and Four.

Following her retirement, Grace and Jim loved to travel and spend time with their grandchildren, Alex and Anna. Grace was a devoted caregiver to Jim for the last ten years of his life after he suffered two strokes.

She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Jim, parents Felix and Regina, stepfather Michael Kittell, sisters Helen Hardenstine Baird and Barbara Szwejbka, brother Richard Gestwicki and their spouses, brother and sister-in law Charles and Gail Hassett, nephew Andrew Szwejbka, Jr., and many friends.

Grace is survived by her son Michael Hassett of Fredonia, her daughter Karen DuWaldt, son-in-law Steve Hensen, grandchildren, Alex DuWaldt and Anna Lytle, all of Denver, CO, her cousin, and several nieces and nephews.

The family thanks the staff of Chautauqua County Nursing and Rehabilitation for their kindness and care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church, 1032 Central Ave., Dunkirk, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. There will be no visitation and flowers are gratefully declined.

In recognition of Grace’s love of animals, particularly those animals in need, contributions may be made in her memory to the Chautauqua County Humane Society.

Online condolences may be made at larson timkofuneralhome.com where there will also be a link to livestream the service on Grace’s site.

Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON- TIMKO Funeral Home.