Grace Gustafson rang in her 109th year on Sept. 7. Leading up to her milestone birthday, Gustafson reflected on family, her life thus far, and happy memories of her family and friends. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH - Norwich has a hidden gem and her name is Grace Gustafson. On September 7, Grace celebrated her 109th birthday.

She recent celebrated her birthday with her great-grand children, grand children and many other family members, who traveled from Texas, Nevada and Syracuse to visit.  

Grace has six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She also has 17 nieces and nephews.

Grace’s daughter, Connie, lived with Grace until her passing when Grace was 101. Grace continued to live in her home alone until she was 105. Her nieces and her wonderful neighbors watched over her making that possible until she moved to the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where she resides today.

In addition to Connie she has lost her husband Frank and her sons Richard and Karl. She has also lost her six siblings and their spouses. Living so long means having to say goodbye to so many loved ones.

Today Grace is sleeping more but knows her nieces Sandy Hall and Linda Gregory who both live in Norwich. Linda visits her every morning and Sandy visits her every evening.

“We want Aunt Grace to know her family is here for her and to know how important she is to all of us. We feel lucky that we live close so we are able to see her every day,” said said.

One of Grace's daily rituals is eating Entenmanns Crumb Top Donuts, sometimes three a day. Linda joked, “We wonder if that is her secret to longevity!”

Aunt Grace was born in South New Berlin but lived in New Berlin until she was 15 when she moved to Norwich where she was employed by the Bengert family.   Mr. Bengert was the president of Norwich Pharmaceutical.   According to Aunt Grace, Mrs. Bengert liked to entertain so she hosted many parties.

Grace prepared the food for those events and  wore her “maids” attire to serve the guests.   She was with the family for 40-plus years in some capacity, even after her marriage to Frank. Aunt Grace has many happy memories of that time. She often reminisced about the Bengert’s neighbors, the Miers and Sullivan families and watching the children grow up.  

She recalled Fred and Sally Miers, Howie Sullivan, and as she called him, “little Billy Haskell,” all of them dear to her heart.  

Her day off was Sunday when one of her brothers would come to take her home so she could spend the day with her family. Her parents were from Sweden so Swedish food was served often. Aunt Grace is an exceptional cook! Her extended family is in Sweden and has been an important part of her life.   Aunt Grace has been to Sweden three times. She received a picture of family in Sweden for her birthday.

The mayor’s office presented Aunt Grace with a proclamation on her birthday.  

She was also mentioned on the Today show. We aren’t sure but we believe that Aunt Grace is one of the oldest residents of Chenango county and even of New York State.  

The Norwich American Legion Auxiliary, post 181, which Grace is a life member and the oldest Auxiliary member, spread the word about her birthday. Aunt Grace received 190 birthday cards from 13 states. Some of the cards were from children and veterans.  

Thank you for doing that for Aunt Grace! When we told her that she had received 190 cards she said “You don’t mean it!”

We don’t know any other 109 year old people to compare her with but we are sure she is our “Amazing Grace.”

- Information from the family and friends of Grace