Grace M. Frost

Red Creek Grace M. Frost passed away on January 10, 2015, at the Wayne County Nursing Home after a rich, full life lasting 100 years. Born January 20, 1914, to Ray and Lulu Cuyler McCarthy, Grace's musical talent was apparent at an early age. She played piano by ear nearly as soon as she could reach the keys and later had to take lessons to read the music she could already play. By age 13 she was playing for the silent movies that were shown in the theater in Reed Creek and often disregarded the accompaniment that was sent along with the film and made up her own as the movie progressed. Grace graduated from Red Creek High School in 1932 and gave piano lessons at the home of her parents until marrying Bruce Frost in 1939. That year she also became tax collector for the newly centralized school district and later went on to become district clerk and still later, treasurer. Music was always a large part of Grace's life, and she accompanied many area musicians at various events and was organist at the Red Creek Methodist Church for many years. She was also active in the church itself, holding positions in the various ladies organizations. She also was accompanist for the Red Creek Community Players for several seasons, where her ability to instantly transpose music from one key to another was a huge help to the performers. An enthusiastic supporter of the local library, Grace was one of the first fundraisers for what is now the Red Creek Free Library. She served for many years on the library Board of Trustees and also served as treasurer. Appointed village historian by Mayor Carl Becker in 1975, she wrote several books and pamphlets on local history; and when she received the Hoffman Award that same year, she used the award to establish the local Historical Association. Although vision problems hampered her activities in later years, Grace continued to write as long as she could, producing a series of articles about local residents published in the newspaper. Her memory remained sharp, and she continued to serve as village historian, and at 99, she was believed to be the oldest active historian in the state. Predeceased by her husband, Bruce in 2003, and daughter, Maralu in 2014, and son-in-law John Wilbur in 2012, Grace is survived by several cousins, especially Judith McCarthy of Burlington, WA. A graveside service will be held Friday, January 16, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Southside Cemetery, Red Creek. If desired, contributions in her memory may be made to the Red Creek Free Library. Arrangements are by Becker-Keysor Funeral Home, Red Creek. www.keysorfuneralhomes.com