Grace E. (MacNevin) Chandler, 93, of Walpole, NH passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home on April 16, 2024. She was born in Concord, NH October 9, 1930, daughter of George and Ebba (Malm) MacNevin. She attended school in Concord, NH and graduated from Concord High School in 1948. She graduated from Keene Teacher’s College in 1952, majoring in English and was also a member of the Women’s Athletic Association Honor Club.

Upon graduating, Grace taught two years at Walpole High School, where she also coached JV and Varsity women’s basketball and softball. Grace married Gilbert Chandler on August 29, 1953, and spent several years at home raising her family, supporting them through their youth sports and activities. In 1975, she returned to teaching as a substitute teacher in the Fall Mountain School District. She later worked as a Home Economics teacher at Bellows Falls Middle School and finished her career as a loving caregiver in residential group homes in both Nashua and Keene, NH.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gilbert (Gib) Chandler and her son, James (Jim) Chandler and his wife, Gerry (Hill) Chandler; her brothers, David, Bentley and Donald MacNevin; and two grandchildren, Donna Latham and Marshall Latham. Grace is survived by her children, Lee (Mark) Cooper of Tulsa, OK, John (Ann) Chandler of Worcester, MA, Jerry (Susan) Chandler of Keene, NH, Tamara Chandler of Walpole, NH, and Brian (Sandra) Chandler of Hillsborough, NC; her sister, Elsie MacNevin, of Concord, NH; her nieces, Valerie Ramsey, Kathy Faxon, Lori Earle, Jane Haynes and Lucy LaPrade; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved in-laws: Bill Winslow of Seekonk, MA and John and Ruth Ramsey of Walpole, NH.

Grace was beloved by the Walpole Community, and known for always giving of herself to others. You could find her swimming laps at the town pool, volunteering at the recycling center, and taking her daily walks around town. Her adventurous spirit was ever-present and on display well into her later years, when she hiked Mt. Monadnock several times and even went parasailing in her 80s. Grace was an avid reader and a lifelong learner, and cherished her trips to the town library. She had an extensive postcard collection, and loved receiving postcards from friends and family around the world. She was also the family historian and scribe, often recalling stories with great detail of family events. Despite having a large family, Grace never forgot important dates, and always wrote heartfelt cards and letters to her family and friends to celebrate special events. A woman of deep faith, she was a longtime member of the Christian Science Church.

The family invites members of the community to attend a memorial service Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Walpole Congregational Church as we celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Grace’s memory to the Walpole Bridge Memorial Library, 48 Main Street, Walpole, NH 03608; to Walpole Fire/EMS PO Box 162, Walpole, NH 03608, or to a favorite charity.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.