Grace Louise Tiemann Weir

Member Of Newtown Founding Family

Grace Louise Tiemann Weir, 91, of Barnstable, Mass., died April 16. She was the wife of the late Gaylord C. Weir for 51 years. Mrs Weir was born October 20, 1892, in Danbury, to Lillian Beers and Herman Newell Tiemann, Jr. Mrs Weir was the descendent of the historic Beers and Tiemann families of Newtown. She was the granddaughter of George Beach Beers and Grace Emily Blakeman Beers.

Mrs Weir married in 1940 and lived in Manchester, Conn., until moving to Barnstable in 1986.

After summering in Barnstable Village, they purchased the circa 1703 Sylvanus Bourne Home there and spent many years restoring it.

Mrs Weir enjoyed craftwork, especially stenciling, which she learned and perfected from her father, who restored the oldest house in Manchester, finding the original stencils under the layers of wallpaper and recreating them for the family.

For many years, she volunteered at the School House Thrift Shop until 2003, where she put her extensive knowledge of antiques to work in identifying valuable pieces. She loved meeting folks from around the country who stopped in to browse, often giving them personal tours of her home at the bottom of Cobb Hill. She also was a member of the DeWolfe Art Guild in Connecticut, where she acquired her art skills.

Grace is survived by her loving children and their spouses, John and Lorraine of Cotuit, Mass., Susan and Bernie Plante, and George and Nancy, all of Barnstable; her brothers Howard Tiemann of South Africa, and Anthony Tiemann of Eastford, Conn.; her sister Marianne Sellers of Yarmouth, Mass; seven grandchildren, John Jr, Patricia, Adrienne, Matthew, Jennifer, Stephen, and Victoria; four great-grandchildren, Sarah, Kate, Jason, Yeheva, and Nicholas. Several cousins in Newtown, Susan Walker McNulty, Sarah Caron, and Susannah Shortt; and Caryl Stuart Stratton of Woodbury also survive her. Mrs Weir was predeceased by her brothers H. Newell Tiemann and George H. Tiemann.

A memorial service was held April 20 at St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Barnstable.

Memorial donations in her name may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis MA 02601, or to the Barnstable Rescue Squad, 3249 Main Street, Barnstable MA 02630.

The Newtown Bee        May 4, 2007