Mary Carol Grip

Mary Carol (O’Leary) Grip, 89, of Peterborough, N.H., passed away on March 31, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family, at her home at Scott Farrar. The daughter of Donald Eugene O’Leary and Mary (Sheehan) O’Leary, she was born in Utica, N.Y. on October 23, 1934, the youngest of their three children.

Mary Carol graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1952, and SUNY Cortland (previously Cortland State Teachers College) in 1956, and went on to teach fifth grade at Whitesboro Central School in Whitesboro, N.Y. On New Year’s Day 1958, she made a fateful decision to join her ski club for a day at Snow Ridge Ski Resort in Turin, N.Y, where she met a young executive with General Electric, Robert Hughes Grip. The couple would spend the next 40 years together, moving from New Hartford, N.Y, to Sudbury, Mass., before settling in Peterborough, N.H. to raise their family of six children, and where Robert “Bob” started his own electronics manufacturing company, Conelec Corp, and went on to become a town selectman and New Hampshire State Representative.

She would tell you those early days in Peterborough were a blur, with four teenagers, a toddler, and a baby at home, but at the heart of everyday was laughter, and usually a good story to be retold for years to come. Her high school yearbook quote described her best: “There is a little devil dancing behind those laughing Irish eyes,” as she was never one to turn down an invitation for fun. She loved any reason to bring family and friends together, and often could be seen sitting back, smiling, and soaking in the scene, usually with a glass of her favorite chardonnay in hand.

After moving to Peterborough, Mary Carol spent time as a Title I coordinator for the ConVal School District, as well as a purchasing agent for Conelec Corp. In her retirement she drove for the Red Cross, volunteered at the gift shop at Monadnock Community Hospital, and served on the board for Scott Farrar as secretary. She was a masterful Bridge player, and played in various clubs throughout her years in Peterborough, and she enjoyed creating a Bridge group while a resident at Scott Farrar.

Mary Carol is predeceased by her husband, Robert Hughes Grip; her sister, Arlene (O’Leary) Way; and her brother, Donald Patrick O’Leary. She is survived by her six children, Brian Patrick Grip, Gregory Carl Grip, Evelyn Anne Biedermann, Daniel Robert Grip, Richard Eugene Grip, and Kathleen Ellen Grip Denon; their spouses and partners Kelly (Collins) Grip, Shirley Seydel, Kevin Biedermann, Kristin (Russell) Grip, Sarah (Huff) Grip, and Gregory Denon; as well as 14 grandchildren, a great granddaughter, several nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday April 28, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough, N.H. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday April 29, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary Carol’s name to Scott Farrar, 11 Elm Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.

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