Remembering my former colleague, Grace Heagstedt, in love and peace.  We worked in the Curriculum Department (adjacent offices) at Rialto Unified School District.  While I knew Grace for a very brief time prior to my retirement in 2005, I recall her being one excellent secretary--a consummate professional--with a bright and radiant smile.  With deepest sympathy,

Grace was a beautiful and intelligent woman.  Her strength and her positive outlook were the shining examples that we all should follow!  I still miss her to this day.

Grace, My Mom, was an example to all others of power and strength. I, as her Oldest Son still remember  her as a young girl with a new baby. She grew so powerful. Her man, Her King, was taken from her by death far to soon. She never remarried because she "could not find a man that loved her kids as much as her." She always believed she would see the Battle of Armageddon and the beginning of the New Order.  She told me, "Ken, I didn't think "This" is how we would enter The New Order." 

She raised my Baby sister Ali all alone and Ali became a personal trainer, marathon runner, wife of my good Brother in Law Luciano and three great nephews, Evan, Landon and Preston. She raised my Baby Brother Steve to be an LA County Fire Paramedic. Lord only knows how many people are alive today because of him. And Grace raised me, the black sheep of the family, to be a federal agent, a SWAT officer, Locomotive Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad and father to Wes and Logan.

I told her, 'Whatever happens we will see you in the New Order." Her last words to me were, "You were a good son." The next time I saw her the pain was over. She was asleep.

I have put off writing this because I start crying thinking about the thoughts I want to express and maybe because it makes everything so real. For me the sorrow I feel goes so deep. The memories go back so far......from the time you started dating my brother Al. Loved it when Al would bring me over to your house. I loved your Mom, your sisters,and Tina playing the piano! I remember you driving your Henry J. Graduation....you and Al and Billy and Judy. I cried then too. Your beautiful wedding. Al going to Viet Nam. I have all the letters he wrote to me, my Mom, and my Dad....He always wrote about how much he loved you. The birth of you children. All the family get togethers up in Mountain Home. Then the tradgedy of losing Al. He loved you so....Your devotion to him all these 36 years. I always admired and respected you so much for the way you lived your life. You were such a beautiful lady. You had a beautiful personality and character. I loved your beautiful smile and your laughter. And class! You had class. And strong. You were that Proverbs 31 virtuous woman. I'm sorry you went thru such pain and suffering in this life. You did not deserve it. I know there was much joy in your life too. "You fought the good fight" and you "kept the faith". It feels to me like the end of a beautiful love story. But it is not the end and I am comforted knowing you will be laid to rest with my dear brother and that in your next conscious moment you will see each again. Thou I could not make it to California on time for your memorial...I shall visit your grave and hopefully see your Mom in Yucaipa and Alison and the boys. Would love to see all of your family. You are so loved and respected by Al's family. You will always be so special in our hearts. Grove St. will never be the same. I love you Grace.

Grace was my secretary twice.  She was my awesome secretary at Rialto Middle and I did not know she was a sub until one day before she left. When I became Assistant Superintendent, I jumped at the opportunity to have her as my secretary again.  She worked with me until she retired.  I loved working with Grace.  She was such a warm spirited person.  I am so glad we had such a great time together.  May your family forever remember the love and joy you brought to them and others. Love you Grace.

She was just a Classie Lady.  She was beautiful both inside and out.  She will be missed greatly.  I will never forget the pillar of strength she and Al were to everyone around them. Look forward to the time we will be able to welcome them back.

Dearest Grace, I am so happy that I was blessed to have you in my life for so many, many years. You have always been that one stable person in my life, never failing to give me your honest advice.  We had a love/hate relationship.  We truly loved each other, purely & honestly, and I always hated that you were as stubborn & hard-headed as I was!  We'd go round & round, but our love for each other was deep & true.  You have been my mother's bestest friend in the whole wide world for so many years, my heart is heavy as she is in a complete loss without you.  I am deeply sorry you suffered for so long, such an undeserved suffering.  I take comfort in knowing that Jehovah will bless you forever in Paradise & my mother will once again be with her very bestest friend forever and ever.  May Jehovah keep your family in his care until they all see you again.  I thank you for being the true friend that you always were to me and my family & thank you for loving my mother they way you always did.  May Jehovah please remember those left behind & send brothers and sisters to help my mother and all Grace's family & friends during this extremely difficult time. I love you, Grace.  You will always be a part of me.  Love, Ginger

I didn't cry until I read all these beautiful words.  They are all true.  She was a sister and a friend.  I loved the way Grace could get to the deepest heart of a matter with just a few well chosen words.  She never sugar coated anything so you were forced to face things the way they were.  Take it and deal with it.  That is how she faced many many challenges in her life that would have crushed the rest of us.  I will always love her and miss her but I am grateful to Jehovah that she is out of her pain and distress.  She loved you all too!

I remember grace from years ago. A kind and beautiful lady. My thoughts and love to her family.

I worked with Grace at Rialto Unified, she was an inspiration as she always had a kind word for everyone and a smile on her face.  She was missed dearly when she retired by all of us that new her and worked with her.

The first memory I can recall of Grace was coming over for book study in her home.  Allison had long hair, and was a tiny, shy girl hiding under a chair, Tippy was happily greeting the brothers and sisters, Steven and Kenny were just being boys, and Grace was the pinnacle of the family, warmly welcoming everyone into her home.  Grace always came across to me as a strong woman with a sparkling personality that drew people in. My momma enjoyed the friendship she had through the years with Grace, even talking on the phone while both endured cancer, discussing their outlooks on the future, encouraging one another.  I'll always appreciate and love Grace for the beautiful and warm hearted person she was, and I have the fondest of memories to take with me until we are able to greet her again in Paradise.  All of our love to her family during this time.

She was so important to all of us. There is a hole in our hearts. She will be very much missed.

Grace was a wonderful friend to me.  We had a lot of fun going line dancing at Margaret's, out to eat and traveling.  I will miss her very much but hope to see her in the paradise.  I know she is in Jehovah's memory and I hope I will be there in the paradise too.  Grace and Shannon LeHew were the first ones to ask me to go out in service when we moved here in 1978.  She made me feel welcome and at ease.  Her laughter and infectious smile will be missed by all of us.  My heart goes out to her children, grandchildren and family.  Grace was a wonderful mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. I will keep you in my prayers.

Grace - I will miss you deeply as you are a woman who touched my heart and you will continue to live there forever.  Your beaming smile and graciousness was always comforting no matter what our jobs brought our way  When you retired, I felt like a piece of me died and now I will cherish all of our laughter, and memories.  My condolences go out to your children and to your fellow church members.  I will love you forever.

I cant recall a time that I did not see a bright beaming smile on her face. She was so kind and compassionate a truly loving sister. I cant wait to see her once again in paradise.

My heart is saddened that my threefold cord has been broken.  Grace, you were always there for me, no matter what the reason or when. You always gave  me an answer to my question whether I liked it or not.  A true friend, which is hard to find.  I reflect on the good times we had together, the travels, assemblies and eating out.  I am saddened that I did not come to see you but when I asked to come over the past few months you always said to wait until July when I had vacation plans to visit. Out of respect for your wishes I waited, something I will regret from now on. Now my dearest friend I will see you in Paradise.

I did not have the privilege of knowing Grace very long.  However, in the brief time that I did know her, she was truly an amazingly strong person.  I admire her for that strength.  I will still get to know her through all her family members, who love and miss her very much!

I remember the 1st day I met Grace.  She was one of the first persons to greet me @ the Kingdom Hall.  She made a difficult transition for me much eaiser.  Funny story;  My son Justice was just 4 yrs old when we moved to Rialto and he would not speak or even look at Grace, very much out of his personality.  Grace and I would laugh about it.  Then one hot summer day in field service, I needed to go on another  call and Justice has been complaining he was hungry.  Now knowing he had never even so much as looked at Grace like in three months let alone speak to her.  I told him {jokingly} you have two options..  Go with me on this last call or go home with Grace.....  Her and I smiling knowing the answer would be an infatic NO.  Too our suprise he said I will go home with Grace.  So Grace took him home and they had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and they were very good friends after this.  When Grace and I were both facing health issues, we became a huge support for each other during our times of healing after sergeries.  We spent a lot of time together and Grace I became good friends.  She was always so honest and held nothing back.  But you knew what you were getting with Grace, no fronts.   I can honestly say I love Grace and she has made a wonderful impact on my life.  I will miss our lengthy conversations, her loving words and often times motherly guidance..  Most of all I admire Graces' endurance and loyalty to our God Jehovah..  She took care to do what was right to the best of her ability in raising her three children to love and serve and Jehovah.  Being a single mother of one myself, can tell you this is no easy task...Until the new world!!! Rest well my sweet friend.  Love Deana

I will miss my pioneer partner. We always encouraged each other to pioneer during the memorial season. I will miss that.

We send our love and condolences to the family. One of our first memories in Rialto was Grace and her family. A very beautiful and faithful sister.

Grace really was a beautiful person! She was kind and thoughtful and I loved her! She will be missed!

Grace was the best Friend, Mother, Grandmother of 5 boys; Wesley, Logan, Evan, Landen and Preston. We will miss and love you always

Miss her so much!  Always in our hearts <3

Grace always had a smile on her face, even when she was in pain.  She always said what was on her mind and made me laugh. She was a wonderful friend. I will miss her dearly.

OBITUARY

Grace Ann Heagstedt

Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary

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