Obituary of Grace M. Searles

Grace Mae Paoletti Searles, age 40, of Shelton, died Wednesday, November 24, 2004 at her home surrounded by her family. Grace was the beloved wife of Robert Searles, Jr. and the devoted mother of Ryan and Taylor Searles. Born in Derby on August 4, 1964, she was the cherished daughter of John and Donna Paoletti of Shelton. A lifelong resident of Shelton, Grace was a graduate of Shelton High School and the National Academy of Hairdressing. She formerly co-owned and operated Shear Pazazz of Derby for 16 years. Gracie was a principal in the St. Lawrence Elementary Religious Education Program and active in the Booth Hill School PTA. She was currently the president of Shelton Pop Warner Football and one of the cheerleading coaches for the Shelton Pop Warner Junior Peewee Cheerleaders. She was also the former president of the Susanna Wesley School PTO.

Gracie will be sadly missed by her family which includes her twin brother, John Paoletti, Jr. of Shelton, sisters, Debra Marino and her husband, Thomas of Shelton and Gina Skelly and her husband, Joe of New York, her maternal grandmother, Mae Charters of Stratford, her mother and father-in-law, Joan and Robert Searles, Sr. of Derby, brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Lisa Searles of Seymour, nieces and nephews, Thomas and John Marino, Jaime and Jolene DeCiucis, Derek, Daniel and Brian Skelly, Joseph Paoletti, Matthew and Austen Searles as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

Funeral services will take place on Monday, November 29, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church, Shelton for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to an education fund that will benefit the children. Contributions can be made to Robert Searles Jr. through The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home.