Grace Deffer, 86, of Fairview Terrace, died on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Kimball Farms. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 6, 1939, daughter of James Rutherford and Mary Ridley, she attended Fonda-Fultonville High School in Fonda, N.Y. She moved to Great Barrington in 1964.
In the early years, Grace was employed by Beech-Nut in Canajohaire, N.Y.; New York Telephone Co.; and when she moved to Great Barrington, she worked at Andrews Insurance company for 32 years. After retiring, she worked for the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, and most recently, she worked as a bookkeeper for a local doctor up until her 86th birthday.
Grace attended the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington and enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her extensive family. She belonged to the Red Hatters and the Thursday Morning Club.
Grace is survived by two sons, Scott Deffer of Beverly, Mass., and Barry Deffer of Great Barrington and Ronna Zigmand of Housatonic, and a brother, William Rutherford of North Carolina. She also leaves her daughter-in-law Paula (Scott) Deffer; her son-in-law Karl Zigmand; and six grandchildren, Andrew Deffer (Kathryn), Eric Deffer (Nicole), Alison Dube (Matthew), Kyle Zigmand, Ava Zigmand, and TJ Brown. She also leaves her nine great-grandchildren: James, Jack, and Harry Deffer (Andrew); Emersyn, Everett, and Ethan Deffer (Eric); and Thomas, Olive, and Callum Dube (Alison). She was predeceased by her husband Ronald Deffer, her brother James Rutherford, her sister Mary Blenis, her sister Elizabeth Rutherford Wise, and her parents.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home in Great Barrington. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Donations in Grace’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital directly or in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to her family, please visit the funeral home’s website.
