Grace (Cavanagh) Bolen died suddenly on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Courville at Nashua. Grace was born in Waltham, MA on February 24, 1928, daughter of Louise (Keane) Cavanagh and Joseph A. Cavanagh. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband of 55 years, Frank Bolen, her youngest son, David Bolen, and her brother Paul M. Cavanagh. She is survived by her children Rosemary Daly, Loretta Bolen, Thomas Bolen, and Janine Kerouac; two sons-in-law – James Daly and Stephen Kerouac, and three grandchildren – Ben Kerouac, Linsey Kerouac and Raecliffe Daly. Grace was a long-time member of St. Christopher Parish and in later years, of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Nashua. She served as a lector for many years in both parishes.
Grace attended elementary and high school in the Catholic schools of Waltham. She received her BA in Speech from Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia in 1949 and her MA in English from Boston College in 1950. She moved to New York City, where she worked for McGraw Hill Publishing as a proofreader. While in New York, she met Francis W.J. Bolen. They were married on Feb. 5, 1955 at St. Philip Neri Church in Waban, MA. They had 5 children: Rosemary, Loretta, Thomas, Janine, and David Bolen.
Grace was very active in theater from the time she was a very young child. Some of her major accomplishments included winning the Archdiocese of Boston Oratorical Contest in high school; performing Lawrence Houseman’s “Victoria Regina” as her college recital piece; and playing Lady MacBeth for the Boston College theater group in graduate school. She was an active member of the Bedford Players in the early 1960’s. After moving to NH in 1966, Grace joined the Nashua Theater Guild and later, the Actorsingers. She had many parts in area productions, including Mrs. Harcourt in “Anything Goes”; Old Sally the Pauper in “Oliver”; the housekeeper in “The Sound of Music” and as a member of the chorus in a number of other Actorsingers productions. Her prize role, (aside from Lady MacBeth) was as Golde in “Fiddler on the Roof”. Grace was also an accomplished director and directed such shows as “The Odd Couple”, “Carousel” (for both Bishop Guertin High School and Actorsingers); “The Student Prince” and “Finian’s Rainbow”. She also assisted with costumes and other areas of production for many shows. She was a Lifetime Member of Actorsingers.
Grace had many interests and talents. Grace was an accomplished seamstress, tole painter, and did beautiful crochet work. She loved making Christmas decorations, and the family, for many years, had 2 Christmas trees: one with classic glass ornaments handed down by the family, and another tree decorated with all of her personally crafted decorations.
Grace was a strong, loving and caring woman. She and her husband Frank could always be counted on by family and friends to be of support and assistance when hard times struck. She will be sorely missed.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, TONIGHT (Thursday, May 5th) from 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, May 6th at 9:30 AM in St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 777 West Hollis Street, Nashua, NH. Interment will follow in Edgewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels c/o St. Joseph Community Services, Inc., 395 Daniel Webster Highway, PO Box 910, Merrimack, NH 03054-0190; The Adult Day Care Center, 460 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 03063; or The Courville at Nashua, 22 Hunt Street, Nashua, NH 03060. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
