Grace Malloy

Mystic — Grace (Bell) Malloy, 81, of Mystic, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at home surrounded by her family after a long illness. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Daniel G. O'Connor.

Born in Havertown, Pa., she was the daughter to the late William and Mae (Riley) Bell and lived in Mystic since 1962.

Grace had an entrepreneurial spirit and started a homemade fudge business, selling to the Mystic Seaport. When the Olde Mystic Village opened up, she opened the Toy Soldier. Through the years, she opened several successful stores in the village, however, the Toy Soldier remained her pride and joy for 25 years up until her retirement.

She was a communicant of St. Mary Church in Stonington and a eucharistic minister. An avid bridge and tennis player, she also enjoyed painting, traveling and was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

In addition to her husband, she leaves her four children, James Malloy and his wife, Kathleen, of Mystic, Kevin Malloy and his wife, Kathy, of Ledyard, Mark Malloy and his wife, Debbie, of Kalamazoo, Mich. and Pamela Malloy of Mystic; five stepchildren, Daniel G. O'Connor Jr. and his wife, Heather, of Preston, Kathleen John and her husband, James, of Rindge, N.H., Colleen O'Connor of Stonington, Patricia O'Connor and her husband, Tom Ange, of New London, N.H. and Rita Stewart and her husband, Lindsey Saunders, of Westerly; three grandchildren, Samantha, Nicola and Mary; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her first husband, James Malloy; and three brothers and one sister.

The family would like to thank the Center for Hospice Care for the exceptional care given to Grace during her illness.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at St. Mary Church in Stonington. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Mary Cemetery, Stonington. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hospice Care Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360.