Jean B. Grapes

COLEBROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Mrs. Jean B. Grapes, 83, of Academy Street,Colebrook, New Hampshire, passed away Tuesday evening, January 2, 2007, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital after a period of failing health. Mrs. Grapes was born in Canaan, Vermont, on October 1, 1923, a daughter of the late Nelson A. Bunnell, Sr., and Flora (Martin) Bunnell. Mrs. Grapes attended local schools and married Scott Grapes in 1942. Mrs. Grapes was a well known lady in Colebrook, serving for 35 years as an executive at the First Colebrook Bank, one of the first women to reach a senior banking position. She was instrumental at the bank during its transition to the current company from its predecessor. In her younger years, she loved to write poetry, and only recently had some of her poems published in the book “The Colors of Life: International Library of Poetry” in 2003. She was an avid golfer and could often be found at the Colebrook Country Club in her spare time. Mrs. Grapes also did the bookkeeping for her husband’s store on the corner of Main and Parsons Street in Colebrook. In her retirement, Mrs. Grapes developed a love for cribbage and bridge, and also loved to play Scrabble. She took it upon herself to learn modern computer skills, as well. She also loved to paint and taught art for a time at the Colebrook Elementary School. In the latter years of her husband’s life, Mrs. Grapes, also took very good care of her husband during his time of ill health, allowing him to spend his final days at home. Mrs. Grapes will be fondly remembered by many as a strong woman, a devoted wife and mother, and as a proud aunt to her many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Grapes is survived by a son, Delmon and wife, Sherry, of Lake Bluff, Illinois; three brothers, Nelson Bunnell, Jr. of Cazenovia, New York, Dean Bunnell of Canaan, Vermont, and Clifford Bunnell of Pittsburg, New Hampshire; a sister, Marilyn Hewinson of East Hartford, Connecticut; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Grapes is preceded in death by her husband, Scott Grapes, in 1991; one brother, Everett Bunnell, a sister Mary Maxine Pierce, and by four other siblings who died as young children. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2007, from 3-5 p.m. with a funeral service to immediately follow at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH, with The Reverend Granvyl Hulse officiating. An interment service will be conducted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Colebrook Village Cemetery with The Reverend Granvyl Hulse officiating.Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Grapes’ memory may be made to the Upper Valley Hostel, Inc., 17 South Street, Hanover, NH 03755. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Jean B. Grapes

October 1, 1923 - January 2, 2007