Edith Grace Trueman of Warwick, NY passed away peacefully on April 27, 2021. She was 93 years old.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 13, 1927, she was the daughter of John Tolar Reiners and Edith Grace Wheeler. She attended public school and graduated from James Madison High School, Brooklyn, NY. She attended Mills College of Education, an affiliate of Aldephi University, from which she received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
From an early age, she aspired to be a teacher, and she clearly met that goal. Married to Duncan Trueman in 1948, she taught pre-school in Bayside and Flushing, NY until moving to Bethpage, NY where she taught and became the director of the Levittown Nursery Cooperative School.
In 1955, when Duncan entered the Methodist ministry, she re-located again. Appointed to four churches in rural Sullivan County, NY, theirs became a partnership in ministry. During the tenure of his ministry, she taught in Livingston Manor, NY where Steve entered kindergarten.
Moving once again to Goshen, NY, she taught kindergarten there for 25 years. All together, she taught a total of 30 years doing what she loved. Whether it was in the classroom, the church community or the family, every experience was special.
Not only a teacher and a pastor’s wife, Grace was also a leader. Active in many organizations and groups relating to children, she was the Vice-President of the National Organization of Migrant Children; a consultant for Head Start programs throughout the state; and President of the Association for the Education of Young Children. She conducted many workshops and was a voice for children throughout the area.
In later years, she was Aunt Grace, Grandma Grace, Mother Grace to many nieces and nephews and to a host of young people.
Remembering her legacy are her daughter, Anna Trueman of Marin County, CA; her son, Steven and his wife Joy of Las Vegas, NV; her brother, Rev. Robert Reiners and his wife Elizabeth; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Rev. Duncan Trueman; brother, John Tolar Reiners, Jr.; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Reiners and Harriette Hart.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at New Milford Methodist Church, Jockey Hollow Road, New Milford, NY. Interment will follow the service in Warwick Cemetery. Rev. Robert Reiners officiating.