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Grace Lass

Oct. 8, 1925-March 7, 2011

Grace passed into the warm, loving embrace of her Lord and God on March 7, 2011, with her devoted daughters and family by her side.

She was born on Oct. 8, 1925, to Grace (Sherwood) and Walter Coupe on a farm in Valley Stream, Long Island, N.Y.

Grace lived on Long Island for the first 57 years of her life. She married Erick Lass in 1947 and together they raised four daughters, Donna, Penny, Denice and Kris.

Grace and Erick moved to Sonoma in 1983 to be closer to their young grandchildren and within a few years all of their daughters and families moved to Sonoma as well. Grace and all her family always felt fortunate to be living near and surrounded by each other's love. She was a gentle, warm and generous person, who gave herself unconditionally to her family, friends and strangers alike. Grace led a healthy lifestyle, had a love of dancing, taking long walks and spending time with her family and friends. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Church.

She worked at a law office in Santa Rosa and later worked at the Church Mouse in Agua Caliente. But her favorite job was being a volunteer foster grandparent at the Sonoma Developmental Center, where she worked for many years and brought love and joy to both residents and coworkers.

Grace was preceded in death by Erick, her husband of 47 years; her beloved sister, Ruthie; sister-in-law Elsa; and nephews, Ricky and Timmy. She is survived by her large and loving family which includes her brother, Walter Coupe; brother-in-law, Anthony Pilato; her daughters and their husbands, Donna and James Fanara, Penny and David Whedon, Denice and John Coffey and Kris and Doug Boss; her nine grandchildren and their partners, Tony Fanara and Shana Brown, Jesten and Jenna Coffey, Serene Whedon and Steve Bonbright, Asia and Jeremy Jagdfeld, Erick Whedon, Sierra Coffey, Shane Coffey, Jared Boss and Jeremy Boss; nine great-grandchildren, Rebekah, Colby, Austin, Anthony, Jimmy, Arlin, Johnny, Delilah and Sean; nieces, Debbie and Patty; and nephews, Michael, James and Ron and numerous friends.

Grace's kind and loving spirit will be sorely missed by the many people whose lives she touched. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Sonoma United Methodist Church, 109 Patten St. in Sonoma. All those who knew and loved Grace are invited to attend.

For those who prefer to make a charitable donation in Grace's honor in lieu of sending flowers, you may consider FISH, Meals on Wheels or a charity of your choice.

Grace will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in a private burial.