Mrs. Grace C. (Perretta) Hartnett

Mrs. Grace C. (Perretta) Hartnett, age 77, found peace on Tuesday night, February 3, 2015 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. She fought a brave two year battle with cancer and went home to the Lord after visiting with many friends and family. Born in Utica on July 16, 1937, Grace was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Isabella (DeKime) Perretta. She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. She continued her education at SUNY Potsdam earning her baccalaureate degree in 1959. She then pursued her post-graduate studies at SUNY Potsdam where she was awarded her Master of Arts degree in 1961 in the field of Music Education. On March 21, 1970 in St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, she married William S. Hartnett and shared with him a deep and enduring love for nearly 45 years. Grace received certification to teach piano at age 14 and began to teach. After receiving her professional credentials and certification, Grace began her career as a music teacher with the Whitesboro Central School District where she held positions in the elementary and junior high schools, retiring in 1996. A humble and happy person, Grace was blessed with natural charisma, a characteristic that allowed her to connect to people, making them feel important and special. She would light up a room just by walking in. And for her, laughter was the spice of life. As a testament to how much her family loved her, many of her in-laws from Buffalo, NY to Salt Lake City, Utah, traveled to see her and say goodbye. Clearly, this was an expression of how cherished she was. Grace participated in a plethora of cultural pursuits and pastimes. She enjoyed music, worldwide travel, live plays on Broadway, opera, and cooking. She was also a voracious reader. While she was a student at Potsdam, Grace was chosen to sing at the United Nations, a memorable moment in her life. As a professional educator and member of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), she helped promote music education and served as a judge for the annual All-State competitions. In her youth, Grace and Angela created a club out of classmates which grew in High School into Sigma Chi Alpha Sorority whose members stayed in contact throughout the years, a continuous gathering of her childhood friends that burgeoned the blessing of those bonds for 70 years. But it was the time she spent with her family, and especially her grandchildren, that defined her. Her love for them transcended every measure of her life. Grace is survived by her husband, William; her children, Michael and Kathryn Hartnett of New Hartford, and Stephanie Bloch of Rush, NY; and her grandchildren, Patrick, Samantha, and Zachary. She will also be missed by her nieces, especially Heidi Perretta, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, sister-in-law, Nance Perretta, and her lifelong friends, Angela Gentile, and Loretta Moccaldi. She was predeceased by her brother, Francis “Frank” Perretta; and many aunts and uncles. The family was deeply touched by the compassion and special care offered to Grace by the nurses and staff of the 6th Floor Oncology Unit at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Grace’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Grace’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Tuesday morning at 11:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Abe Esper. Committal services and Interment will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mrs. Grace C. (Perretta) Hartnett

July 16, 1937 - February 3, 2015