Shirley Mae MacEachern Gratto, 92, daughter of the late F. Elwood and Lila M. (Somers) MacEachern of Prince Edward Island, Canada, died November 7, 2022. She was born in Medford, Mass., graduated from Somerville High School with membership in the National Honor Society. She was a member of the Order for Rainbow Girls, Chapter No. 17 and served as Worthy Advisor. She was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist, Stevens Memorial Baptist and currently First Baptist Churches. She also volunteered through the Pastoral Care Division of the Riverside Regional Convalescent Center and was a certified tax preparer for AARP.

Ms. Gratto retired on March 31, 1995 from the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, Virginia as a Contracting Officer with 27 years of service. She worked for NASA, Langley Research Center; Applied Technology Division; and RASA Division, Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. She was the pianist at Tabernacle Baptist Church and for a women's trio who sang on WYAH for Christian Broadcasting. She also served as the Music Director at Stevens Memorial Baptist Church responsible for the children, youth and adult choirs from 1971 to 1983 and also served as Treasurer and taught private piano lessons. At First Baptist Church she was active with the Singles Program and the Singles Sunday School class. She served on the Personnel and Stewardship Committees, was ordained a Deacon on February 11, 1995, and was a member of the Sanctuary and Swingin' Singers Choirs. She served as President of the King's Daughters Sunday School class twice.

She is survived by three daughters, Sheryl Jean Roemer of Newport News, Doreen Elizabeth and husband E. Lee Deskins of Williamsburg (James City County), Carol Arlene and husband Wallace A. Henderson of Whittier, NC; a son David William Gratto of Carrollton, VA; sister Doris E. and husband Robert MacEvoy of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada; six grandchildren, Jeffrey A. Roemer and Laura E. (Roemer) Rodrigo, Sara E. (Deskins) Tucker and Adam L. Deskins, Kyle B. Gratto and Emma K. Gratto; 4 great grandchildren, Harrison L. and Eleanor M. Tucker, Ashton S. and Jordan E. Deskins. She was predeceased by her brother Donald E. MacEachern of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada; and by George W. Gratto, father of her children. She was a loving and supportive mother and Nana. She loved the Lord, life and her family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 11, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Newport News. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 12716 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606; Peninsula Rescue mission or the Salvation Army.

Condolences may be left at www.wjsmitthandsonfh.com.