Grace U. Layman

Grace Upton Layman, 96, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2022 following a period of failing health. She received wonderful care from the staff at Langdon Place of Keene, NH during the last 6 years of her life.

Grace was born in Cody, WY on December 28, 1925 to Gabriel S and Grace (Henderson) Upton. She was named for her mother and grandmother. She grew up in Colorado, her favorite place. Her father was a Methodist minister, and the family moved often. Grace graduated from Denver University with a BA in Religion and Sociology in 1947. She lived at home for a year after graduation to help with her 5 younger siblings following her mother’s death, and then worked in the accounting office for Stanolind Oil and Gas in Tulsa, OK and Casper, WY. On a skiing trip with Stanolind co-workers she met the love of her life, Frederic (Fred) G Layman, an oil exploration geologist. Grace and Fred were married in 1955 and they soon moved to the Boston, MA area, where Grace worked at the Federal Reserve Bank and Radcliffe College while Fred attended Harvard University. She worked as secretary to the principal at the local school in Rosemont, PA for several years while their children attended grade school, and then director of volunteer services in the Keene School District until her retirement in 1985.

Grace enjoyed traveling with her family throughout the US and Canada on camping trips, accompanying Fred while he collected minerals. She enjoyed reading and learning about new scientific and medical discoveries. She created beautiful fabric art and beaded jewelry and had a wonderful sense of color. She loved people, listening with a genuinely caring ear to their stories, loved her family, and was a fount of information about her family history. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Keene for many years, serving on many committees and singing in the choir. Grace was a second generation, 75 year member of P.E.O., an international philanthropic and educational organization for women that held a very special place in her heart. She was a charter member of her local chapter in Keene, NH in 1983 and served on the board for the Northeast District Chapter of P.E.O., becoming its president in 1996 1997. She was a strong believer in the value of education and the equality of all people. Grace will be remembered for her independence, intelligence, kindness, and her “smiling eyes”.

Grace was predeceased by her husband Fred Layman, her son Eric Layman, and her brother Gabe Upton. She is survived by her daughter Marjorie Layman and partner Norman Spicher of Keene NH; her sisters Alice Cunningham of Lacey WA, Mary Nelson of Chico CA, and Donna Upton of Amherst MA; her brother Bob Upton and sister-in-law Kay Upton of Granbury TX; and many nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Grace’s wishes, all services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace’s name to The Community Kitchen, Inc., P.O. Box 1315, 37 Mechanic Street, Keene, NH 03431.