Grace Z. Chandler of Bridgton died Monday, June 6, 2011 at Bridgton Health Care Center. Born Grace Zilpah Weymouth, on July 8, 1929 in South Windham, she was the third child of Roy and Mary O. Smith Weymouth.

She grew up in North Bridgton, where she attended grade school, but like many others at that time found work and family took precedence over a high school education. For her, classes ended in the middle of her sophomore year. In 1980, cheered on by family and friends, she gathered her courage and completed a GED prep course in Fryeburg. A few months later she took the final exam at Lake Region High School and proudly received her GED certificate.

She met her husband, Philip Chandler, while working behind the soda fountain at Tony’s, now Main Street Variety, at that time owned by Tony Gallinari, whom Grace confessed was her favorite boss for all of the kindness he showed her. In later years she worked in a variety of Bridgton businesses including several restaurants, Bridgton Academy and Saunders Dowel Mill. She worked at Pleasant Mountain Moc for many years. Most recently, from 1994–2005, she served as a volunteer videographer for Lake Region Television, working in both multiplecamera programs including concerts, graduations and parades, and many single-camera tapings of Bridgton selectmen, planning board and SAD 61 school board meetings.

She loved needlework, rug braiding, reading, vegetable gardening, fishing and animals. Over the years she took in a number of stray cats and birds. She also loved family gatherings at her home on Highland Lake, where she and her husband Philip celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a surprise party in August 1996. The love she had for her grandchildren was returned to her many times over, especially as her health declined in the last few years.

Grace is survived by a son Jack and his wife Debra of Bridgton; a daughter Laurie Severance and her husband Bill of Bridgton; a brother John Weymouth and his wife Anneliese of Fayetteville, N.C.; three grandchildren, Lyndsey J. Chandler of Brunswick, Dylan Chandler of Bridgton and Angela Thayer and her husband Greg of New Gloucester; and great-grandchildren Amanda and Alexa Thayer. She also leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Philip in 2000, and a sister Elizabeth Clee of Tenn.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Cemetery in Bridgton, conducted by Deborah Dean, Director of Discipleship at Bridgton Alliance Church. Donations in her memory may be made to the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg, ME 04037.

Arrangements are under the direction of Raymond-Wentworth/Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals. com