Grace Burton (née Samuels), 81, of Middletown Township, died Aug. 11, 2021, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel, after a brief illness. Grace was born in Brooklyn, New York, and lived in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown for approximately 50 years before moving to Brighton Gardens, Middletown, in December 2020.
Grace was a custodian for the Middletown Township Board of Education before retiring about 25 years ago. She was also a former member of the Port Monmouth First Aid Squad Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed bowling for many years as well as arts and crafts, especially porcelain doll making.
Surviving are son Thomas Burton and his wife Marifrances and their two children Thomas Jr. and Caitlin; son James Burton and his wife Carol; daughter Susan Burton; and daughter Kerriann Hans and her husband Brian and their children Cassandra Ortiz, Alexander Ortiz, Juliann Hans and Brylee Hans.
Grace is also survived by her brother and two sisters, as well as several brothers- and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband John “Jack” Burton in June 2001, and her son John Burton in February 2021.
Visitation was held Aug. 18 at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 19 at Mary Mother of God Church, Middletown. Burial will follow at Bay View Cemetery, Leonardo.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Grace’s name to the American Lung Association, The American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation.
The article originally appeared in the August 19 – 25, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
