DALTON -- Grace Culver of 28 Florence St., a lifelong resident of Dalton, died at Berkshire Medical Center on July 21, 2012. She was one month short of her 101st birthday. Grace was loved by many and she will be remembered for her calm and gentle nature, her joyful spirit and a generous heart. Born in Dalton on Aug. 22, 1911, daughter of Frank and Florence Mallory Peltier, she attended local schools, graduating from Dalton High School in 1929. She was a graduate of Dean Academy and Smith-Froebel Kindergarten Training School, Bridgeport, Conn. Grace led an active life: homemaker, wife and teacher. After teaching kindergarten in Danbury, Conn., and Pittsfield, Grace started a kindergarten in her home where she taught for 32 years. At the time, Dalton did not have a public kindergarten. Many members of the community remember fondly the time they spent at Mrs. Culver's Kindergarten. Later, she was a Title I Aide at Nessacus Middle School for eight years and a library volunteer at Craneville School for nine years. She was a member of the Literary Volunteers of America Inc. and for many years was a library volunteer at the Dalton Public Library. She also volunteered at the Berkshire Medical Center and Hancock Shaker Village. A lifelong member of the First Congregational Church, she served on many church committees and was one of the first female deacons. Grace enjoyed music, reading, playing cards, and spending time at the ocean. She was an enthusiastic tag-saler and an avid tennis player. She played doubles into her 80s. For many years she ran tennis clinics at the Community House tennis courts. She also ran a summer tennis program for children at the Dalton Boys Club. Her husband, Edwin J. Culver, a former Dalton postmaster, whom she married Sept. 17, 1938, died Nov. 7, 1986. She leaves two children, Judith Culver of Stockbridge and Dr. David Culver and his wife Barbara of Eastham; two grandchildren, Blair Culver of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Sarah Culver of Costa Mesa, Calif., and many nieces and nephews. Grace was predeceased by her sister, Florence Clapper of Dalton, and her brothers, Frank Peltier of Houlton, Maine, and Charles Peltier of Sharon, Mass. The family would especially like to thank Grace's caregiver, Lisa DiNicola, for her kindness and love, and for the wonderful care she received from the staff at Springside. FUNERAL NOTICE- There will be a memorial service to celebrate her life, which will be held at a later date at the First Congregational Church of Dalton. Burial will be in the Main Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church, Dalton, or the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter of Pittsfield, in care of the BARTLETT WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 525 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226. Thoughts and wishes for the family may be emailed to condolences@wellingtonfuneralhome.com.