East Meredith, New York - EAST MEREDITH - Grace Helen Malz, 90, died on Aug. 13, 2021, of natural causes, on what would have been a 61st wedding anniversary.

Born on Nov. 17, 1930, in Brooklyn, Grace was the only child of Joseph A. Brosgul, who immigrated from Lithuania, and Anna E. Petrauskas Brosgul, who immigrated from England.

In 1949, Grace graduated from Brooklyn's Prospect Heights High School, having successfully completed, among other studies, a four-year dressmaking and dress design course. Her diploma led to her work as a pattern maker in the garment district of Manhattan, as well as related work in the Pattern Designing Department at Condé Nast in Connecticut.

Grace, a devout Catholic, credited her faith for helping her deal with the deaths of her father (1956) and mother (1959). Both Grace and Thomas were congregants of Merrick's Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church until moving to East Meredith in 2016. Grace had deep beliefs in social justice and didn't suffer bigots lightly.

Grace married Thomas Oscar Malz, of the Bronx, on Aug. 13, 1960, giving up her career to become a homemaker. A talented seamstress, she made her own wedding dress, as well as dresses for the bridesmaids and flower girl. The couple settled on Maeder Avenue in Merrick, New York, and had five children, Joan, Carol, Susan, Diane and Thomas. Not surprisingly, Grace made most of her children's clothes and continued to make her own. She also taught herself upholstery and reupholstered the household furniture.

Neighbors were friends, some for more than a half century. Much of life was shared with Ede and Henry Winter. The O'Briens and the Mehrs became family through marriage.

Grace was predeceased by her husband in 2019.

She is survived by five children, Joan (Tony) Greco of East Meredith, Carol (Mike Empey) Malz of Davenport, Susan (Patrick) Mehr of Massapequa Park, Diane (Frank) Gregov of Merrick, and Thomas (Gina) Malz of East Setaucket. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Sarah Harrington, Cate McKeating, Emily (Jerry) Boyle, Michael Meaders, Nicole Mehr, Lauren Mehr, Aleksander Gregov, Grace Gregov, Thomas Malz, and Rebecca Malz. She also leaves behind five great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 23, in East Meredith Cemetery.

Share condolences with the family online at www.macarthurfh.com.