Grace Darlene Erwin

Grace Darlene Erwin, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Pilgrim Manor in Cromwell.  She was the widow of Clyde V. Erwin.

Grace was born into a 4-generation family in Naperville IL, the daughter of the late Ruth T. Simpson and Roy W. Simpson. She attended Naperville Central High School and North Central College where she met and married her classmate Clyde (“Peck”) Erwin, who became a long-time trustee of the college which drew them back to the Mid-West frequently.

As newlyweds while Clyde pursued his law degree in Washington D.C., Grace was employed as a researcher and junior editor for “Young America Magazines” and at the National Education Association. During Clyde’s career, they lived in Washington D.C, DE, MD, IL and CT. When he retired in 1995, they moved to Easton, MD where they continued to enjoy their interests in sailing, curling, music and travel. In 2008, they made their 12th move and returned to CT to be closer to their son and his family in Torrington. Not long after moving into Horizon at CLC and joining Bethany Covenant Church, Clyde became ill and passed away in December of 2010 a month before their 60th wedding anniversary.

Throughout her life wherever they lived, Grace participated in volunteer activities and enjoyed family and friends. She was was given the “Volunteer of the Year” award by an organization of nursing homes and went on to be a volunteer caregiver for several elderly widowed women in their final days. Many memorable summers were spent at a Wisconsin lake cottage shared with close friends. She and Clyde enjoyed hosting Clyde’s work associates and their families from around the world as well as traveling frequently themselves. In 2013, Grace made her 12th and final visit to Tokyo Japan where her daughter has resided for over 45 years.

While at Covenant Living, Grace was active in the life of the community: she resurrected an old set of handbells and helped to organize a bell choir and several resident-organized, variety and talent shows. Most recently, she regularly participated in Music Jam.

Grace is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Kazuyoshi) and son Robert; four granddaughters Meg (Michou), Gabrielle, Elyssa (Brian), Annalise; one grandson Kent; four nephews, a niece and their families.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pilgrim Manor for their care in the final weeks of her life.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Covenant Living Benevolent Care Fund, 52 Missionary Rd., Cromwell, CT 06416.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the following address:

Robert Erwin and Rebecca Fukuzawa

45 Alvord Park Rd.

Torrington, CT 06790