Grace Reese
October 4, 1933 ~ March 5, 2022
Grace Reese was born October 4, 1933 in Cleveland Heights to Ernest and Katherine (Doyle) Chegwidden. She attended schools in Cleveland Heights until 1949 when the family moved to Madison. Grace graduated from Madison High School with the class of 1951 and attended Ohio State University for one year. She later completed her music education at Lake Erie College and the Cleveland Institute of Music. She was best known in the community as a musician and teacher of piano. She was appointed to the Village Planning Commission in 1974 and served through 1978. Grace was appointed to fill a vacancy as a Councilwoman in 1980 and later ran (and was elected as the first woman to serve on council in the village) and served for two terms. She served the village a total of ten years and resigned at the end of 1989 to devote herself to teaching piano full time. During Grace's time as councilwoman she served as president pro tempore of council and served five years on the Madison District Fire Board. She also volunteered at the Madison Food Bank for many years and was a member of various organizations. Grace married Robert Reese on May 1, 1954 at Park Methodist Church and they were members there for 59 years. She served as organist for 29 years and Sunday School Teacher for 10 years. Together they made the decision to join Central Congregational Church in 2005 where she has been active in Bible Study and served on the Board of Christian Education and later became a Deacon. After the death of her husband in 2009 she was fortunate in being asked to play (again) at Chapel Methodist Church and served for four years to a wonderful group of new friends. During this time she continued to attend her own church where she was able to take her two great-grandchildren every Sunday. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Reese; parents; daughter, Nancy Lea Reese; two brothers, Ernest Chegwidden and Raymond Beyer; and two sisters, Enid Szucs and Doreen Bennett. She is survived by daughters, Lori of Mayfield Village, and Leanne (Johnnie) Thomlison of Madison and whom she shared a home with for many years and who lovingly cared for her. Grandchildren, Christopher (Angela) Acord, Jaimie (Britton) Nicholls, Alexandria (Michael Kuth) Thomlison, Paige (Tyler) Gancos, and great-grandchildren, Aleena and Parker McGuire, Julian Nicholls, and Elliana and Milana Kuth. At Grace's request there will be no visiting hours. Memorial service will be held at Chapel United Methodist Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Park in Madison Village. In lieu of flowers Grace has suggested donations to The City Mission or the Salvation Army. These are two charities that were dear to her and she supported regularly. Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com
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My heart is so broken, but there are just so many wonderful memories of my Aunt Grace. She was such a beautiful lady inside and out, and she will deeply be missed.
Our family lost a matriarch, but heaven gained an angel. Aunt Grace will always be in our hearts and memories.
So sorry for the loss but happy my wife Ruth and Grace can visit again.both truly missed
our fl visit Feller
Dan Coole
Mrs. Reese was a wonderful person and musician. I was able to record her on the organ playing the Wedding March and the Recessional on cassette tape for a wedding and reception I was DJing and needed to play the music for the wedding as they came down the isle. I remember that day with fondness, we had fun a few laughs. I will never forget her.
Dear Lori
My heart felt condolences to you and entire family. May God give you enough courage to bear the loss and grant peace to the departed soul. It is not easy to imagine life without a parent, one owes ones existence to them. Your Mom may have left you physically but am sure she will be there on every step showing the right path and blessing you along the way.
Sanjeev Kaul (Mumbai, India)
We were saddened to hear about Aunt Grace. She was always a very special person and will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Tom and Elizabeth
My heart is broken, My Aunt Grace was a wonderful lady. All the wonderful memories I will cherish forever. Love you Aunt Grace
I think Grace Reese knew that I was never destined for piano concertos, but I cannot imagine where I’d be today without her guidance, patience, care, and excellent pedagogy. Since age 4, this wonderful woman listened to my successes and failures, endured many tears at the piano bench, took time to teach me other disciplines like cross stitching and knitting, attended nearly every show and concert I performed in, and held my hand for 20 years as I slowly transitioned from music student to music teacher.
Mrs. Reese was my gateway into becoming a musician, and along the way, became one of my greatest advocates, supporters, and confidants. So often, I find myself referencing the conversations we had about practice, discipline, and finding joy in music with my own students. More than anything, however, I draw on her constant encouragement and tough love to reach my most challenging tiny musicians, instilling the idea that you don’t have to be the best at something for it to be worthwhile.
Mrs. Reese made me—like she did for many of her students—this cross stitch and gave it to me upon my high school graduation. It has hung overtop of my keyboard ever since.
Rest easy, Mrs. Reese. I think of you every time
I write the date in the top left corner of my students’ piano books.
Dear Lori and Leanne and family,
Please know your mom was loved by me and my family. You have my condolences for she was well loved. Just know,
The nicest place to be is in someone’s thoughts,
the safest place to be is in someone’s prayers,
and the very best place to be is in the hands of God!
Love to all. Lonnie
To a great lady that was kind and generous Rest in peace
My condolences to Lori and Leanne for your loss. I know this has been a difficult time for you. I will miss Aunt Grace so very much. I looked forward to our phone calls and text messages as she was such a happy soul who looked at the bright side of life and found laughter. While my mind knows she is in a better place, my heart does not understand and is broken. My love to you all, you are in my prayers.
My thoughts are with the family. Grace was such a welcoming cousin. She made me (and my late mother ) feel as if we had been friends for life – not just very occasional visitors from the UK. A very special person.
Aunt Grace was so loved. May she rest in heavenly peace.
In memory of Grace
Reese, Melissa Beyer Coates lit a candle
Dear Lori,
We’re sorry for your loss and send our condolences. It sounds like your mother led a very rich and rewarding life that touched a lot of people. We are thinking of you
Our deepest condolences on Grace’s passing. Sending love and prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss! Prayers 🙏🙏
Brian and I send our condolences to Grace’s family. We knew Grace for many years at Chapel Church and in the Madison community. What a lovely lady. She was always ready to stop and visit when we met in the community. We have fond memories of Grace. Thinking of you all.
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Reese’s family and friends. Mrs. Reese had a profound impact on my life. It was so much more than just piano lesson. There were some weeks when I was definitely not prepared, or arrived super late, but she was such a friend to me. We would just chat about other parts of my life for my remaining lesson since I wasn’t going to pass the song, haha. I was reading music with her before I could read books, and was blessed to have her in my life until I left for college. Because of her, I was able to play church organ for school masses for a few years. She really gave me confidence in awkward, difficult years when I needed it most. I only discovered this news today, unfortunately, when she came to mind and I checked for her Facebook and then Googled. I regret just missing the memorial service, but I am thankful to have caught the video. I hope to reach out to family next time I am in the area. I remember her daughters and grandchildren fondly and my heart goes out to them.