Grace Fries, 90, of Vero Beach, formerly of Doylestown, Penn., passed away on Aug. 14, 2015, at Indian River Estates.
She is survived by her daughter Judith (Raymond) Cawley; son William (Eileen) Fries III and their children, William IV and Elizabeth; daughter-in-law, Nancy and her children, Aaron and Abish; two great-grandchildren and two sisters, Doris Blithe and Jane Hockett.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Charles Fries, Fr., and her son, Charles Fries III.
Born in Philadelphia, Penn., on Jan. 5, 1925, Fries was the daughter of Jacob and Amanda Rogers, one of seven children. A graduate of Bartram High School, she worked as a lab technician for Quality Control Laboratories and earlier for the Upper Moreland School District.
In 2001, Grace and Charles moved to Vero Beach where they became dedicated volunteers for Indian River Memorial Hospital as Cuddlers for the Stork Club. Fries devoted more than 5,000 hours of service. She also volunteered at IRE Willow Brook and had 2,000 hours of service there.
Fries and her late husband Charles were accomplished dancers and instructors and members of Dance Educators of America. They were also avid clock collectors and together restored many beautiful clocks; she especially loved cuckoos and was an officer of the National Watch and Clock Association. Another hobby was collecting more than 250 Head Vases.
She enjoyed puzzles and bingo at Indian River Estates and was deeply fond of the many friends she made there.
A Celebration of Grace’s Life will be held at Indian River Estates East on Aug. 22, 2015 at 2 p.m. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Charles at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated in Grace’s name to Asbury United Methodist Church, 1708 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 or VNA Foundation of Vero Beach, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Oak Bridge Terrace for their exemplary care and to the VNA Hospice Team who lovingly supported Grace and her family in the last days. Arrangements are entrusted to Cox-Gifford-Seawinds in Vero Beach.
