Obituary of Georgia B. Grunder

Georgia (Bowser) Grunder, 101, of Glastonbury, CT passed away on February 19, 2025. Born in Corinth, ME, to the late George and Beatrice (Richardson) Bowser, her earliest memories were of life on a farm and attending a one room schoolhouse. The Great Depression and sudden death of her father brought hardship.  When her mother found employment as a live-in practical nurse, Georgia and her siblings were placed among relatives:  Her oldest brother left to work his room and board, her baby brother was adopted by family in Victoria, B.C., and Georgia and her young brother were placed with an aunt. Tragically, her young brother died of diabetes. To be closer to her mother in Presque Isle, ME, Georgia was placed with a couple she would soon call Aunt Meda and Uncle Claude. 

Georgia would gratefully say she was raised by the town. She was given piano and voice lessons and enjoyed hours of ice skating, sliding and snowshoeing.  She graduated from Presque Isle High School, received her teacher's training from Aroostook State Normal School and studied music at the Northern Conservatory of Music with English classes at the Bangor Theological Seminary.

When World War II called young men to serve, Georgia volunteered and sang with the USO at the Air Force base in Bangor.  Drawn by the war effort, she followed her mother to Manchester, CT, found employment at a Pratt and Whitney research facility in Glastonbury and continued voice lessons at the Hartt School.  She met her future husband, Walther L. Grunder, on a New Year's Eve blind date arranged by a co-worker. They married in 1947, settled briefly in Manchester and later, moved to Wolcott. There, as a young mother of two, she directed a church children's choir, taught piano and worked part time as a radio dispatcher for the police department.  By 1963, Walther's career led the family to settle in Glastonbury. 

Georgia embraced her children's interests, applauding her son's recitals and concerts and cheering her daughter's equestrian activities. Anticipating their college expenses, she took employment at Salmon Brook Convalescent Home in Glastonbury as a receptionist and clerk.  Through her warmth and genuine interest in each resident, she became their social worker designee.

Years later, she retired to her new role as grandmother and babysitter-extraordinaire.  For hours or entire weekends, stories were read, cookies baked, songs sung, knees kissed and hugs shared.  In between, she joined book clubs, immersed herself in Civil War history, kept active in her church, knitted, took exercise classes, volunteered at Red Cross Blood drives, collected for fund raisers and supported Walther's veteran's activities.  Together they traveled England and Switzerland to research their genealogies and around the USA to attend national veterans' meetings.

Suffering the loss of their son to cancer in 2013, Georgia focused on others by offering a hand, a listening ear, a meal, a tale or tea.  Claiming that worry was a virtue, she would give parting family a cautionary, "Drive carefully", "Let me know when you get home" tempered with a "Keep happy."  Aside from that, her conversations were often peppered with a tale, a playful query of "Did you hear the one about the two old ladies?" or some other joke.

Through her faith, humor and the appreciation of each new day, she navigated the inevitable losses of a long life.

Georgia was predeceased by her husband of 75 years, Walther L. Grunder; son, Stephen F. Grunder; brothers Richard Bowser, Weldon (Mozelle)Bowser, and Robert (Betty)Richardson.  She leaves her daughter, Susan (Peter) Morrissey of Unionville, CT; grandchildren: Geoffrey (Diana Zakem) Morrissey of NY, NY; Katherine Morrissey of Medford, MA; Patrick Morrissey of South Salt Lake, UT; Devin (Reagan) Grunder of Oklahoma City, OK, as well as four great granddaughters, nieces and nephews.  

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM at First Church of Christ, Congregational, 2183 Main St., Glastonbury, CT.

Donations may be made to First Church of Christ, Congregational, 2183 Main St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 or a local Food Bank.