Montie (Sweetland) Grapka

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Montie (Sweetland) Grapka passed away on April 21, 2009 at Hernando Pasco Hospice, Dade City, Florida with her loving family by her side. She was born Jan. 8, 1926 at South Dayton, NY, the daughter of Clair and Christine (Burkhalder) Sweetland.

She was the wife of Edmund B. Grapka, whom she married April 14, 1945.

For 30 years, the Grapkas owned and operated a dairy farm on Frog Valley Road, Town of Leon, South Dayton, NY.

In 1966, Montie went to work in the South Dayton NY Post Office as a full-time clerk. She held that position for 15 years. In 1981 she was transferred to the Jamestown, NY Post Office where she worked as a Distribution Clerk.

In May, 1982, she obtained the position of Postmaster at the Dayton, N.Y. Post office and held that position until her retirement in 1988.

She was a member of the South Dayton United Methodist Church and belonged to the National League of Postmasters.

For Montie, her family was her first priority and her greatest achievement. She filled our lives with love, and gave of herself constantly, never expecting anything in return. She never missed an opportunity to honor us at every holiday with a special card that was just right for the person and the occasion a card that was full of love and care.

By example, Montie taught all of us how to honor all God's creatures. She gave us an appreciation for nature, and the simple, unhurried life. The birds and wildlife that lived near the Grapka property knew where to come for a healthy meal.

Montie was also a member of the Newspaper Institute of America (NIS). Her editor there recommended ''The Indestructible Cat,'' for their Klein Award, and rightly so - it was a heartwarming tale about ''Carlotta'' the cat that lived to comfort and delight Mom for 23 years. In addition to getting letters to the editor published in local papers, one of her most prized correspondences was from James J. Kilpatrick, the Nationally syndicated columnist, who thanked her for her keen insight into his own writing.

Her two most notable works, however, will delight the family forever. The first is her family geneology that she pain-stakingly transcribed back to the late 1700s. The second is ''Grandmother's Memories,'' recollections of the rich pageantry of her life that she lovingly completed for her grandchildren to be enjoyed for generations.

Besides her husband, she is survived by three children: David (Barbara) Grapka, Altamont, N.Y., Carol (Robert) Westfall, Jamestown, N.Y., and Jenny (Brad) Brentley, Batavia, Ohio.

She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Carrie (Chris) Yost, Jamestown, N.Y.; Dustin (Amy) Textor, Charleston, South Carolina; Jesse Westfall, Jamestown, N.Y.; Dillon and Noah Westfall, Kennedy, N.Y.; Timothy and Sarah Brentley, Batavia, Ohio; Michael (Dawn) Brentley, Jamestown, N.Y.; and, Jennifer (James (Wright), Jamestown, N.Y.

Also surviving are nine great-grandchildren: Jack Yost, Peyton Yost, Taylor Yost, Nathan Textor, Sydney Textor, Kaitlin Brentley, Felicia Brentley, Evan Hanna and Alex Wright.

Beside her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Perry Sweetland, one sister, Phyllis (Sweetland) Dye, and a beloved granddaughter, Lesley Elizabeth Grapka, Altamont, NY.

No visitation is planned. The Lind Funeral Home of 3rd Street Jamestown is in charge of arrangements. Burial in Villanova Cemetery.

Relatives, loved ones, and friends are invited to celebrate Montie's life at the South Dayton Methodist Church, Pine Street, South Dayton, NY at 1 p.m., Sunday, April 26.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who want to honor Montie and celebrate her life may make a memorial contribution in her name to either Hernando Pasco Hospice, 37445 Clinton Avenue, Dade City Florida, 33525, or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, (S P C A), 2825 Strunk Rd, Jamestown, N.Y., 14701-9785