GEORGETOWN - Grace E. Tonge passed away on Friday evening, May 11th, 2012 in Georgetown. During her final days and hours she was surrounded by her five children, other family members, and friends. Grace was born on Mar. 6th, 1927 in Georgetown. She was the daughter of the late Linden and Bessie Givens. She grew up on a farm in Stockley along with her sisters, Eva, Violet, and Maxine; and her brothers, Russell and Robert. She graduated as valedictorian from Georgetown High School in 1944. After high school Grace attended nursing school at the Delaware Hospital School of Nursing in Wilmington and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1947. While in nursing school, Grace met her future husband Walter Harvey Tonge of Middletown, Del. They were married on Mar. 13th, 1948 at Wesley Methodist Church in Georgetown. This was the beginning of the primary occupation and avocation for Grace over the next 30 years, wife, mother, and homemaker. Grace and Harvey moved to Wilmington in 1948 and over the next 11 years became the parents of four sons and one daughter. The family moved to Georgetown in 1960 where Grace would remain for the rest of her life. After the untimely passing of husband Harvey on Dec. 3rd, 1975, Grace continued to raise her family and began to pursue her passion for volunteerism. Grace was a volunteer for more than 25 years with the Delaware Hospice. She also was a longtime volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Grace attended and was an active member of Wesley Methodist Church in Georgetown for more than 70 years. Grace is survived by her children and their spouses, Gary and Linda of Georgetown, Del., Ken and Melisse of Landenberg, Pa., Phil and Cheryl of Plano, Texas, Ron and Michele of Flemington, N.J., Laurie and Jamie McVicker of Bear, Del.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Eva Melson of Lewes and Maxine Brasure of Millsboro; and brothers, Russell Givens of Lewes and Robert Givens of Rehoboth Beach. Her sister, Violet Hill, passed away in April, 2011. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. at Wesley UM Church, 102 East Laurel Street, Georgetown, DE 19947, where friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for visitation. Interment will be Asbury UM Church Cemetery, Seaford, DE. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 or Wesley UM Church, 102 East Laurel Street, Georgetown, DE 19947. Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown, DE.