GRACE LITTLE

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GRACE LITTLE Grace Little of Winnipeg Manitoba passed away on March 30, 2016 at the age of 100. Grace was predeceased by her husband, Jack, in 2008 and her two brothers, Omer Olson in 2011 and Sherman Olson in 2013. Grace is survived by her sister, Shirley Harrison, North Vancouver, B.C. and her children, Lea, Pam and George; nieces, Julie and Nancy (Mario); her great-niece Hannah and great- nephew Reid; her nephew, Larry Olson (Shirley) of Uxbridge, Ontario. Grace spent her early years in a small town in Saskatchewan and upon the death of her mother, helped her dad raise her sister and youngest brother who were only three and six at the time of their mothers death. Grace reflected many times that these were her babies, and she loved caring and nurturing them. She was only 16 at the time she took charge of these siblings. Later the family moved to Winnipeg, where she finished high school. One of the saddest days of her life, Grace recalls was sending her babies Shirley and Sherman, 17 and 14 at the time, on the train to Vancouver to meet up with their father to start a life in Vancouver. Grace met Jack while attending the Young Peoples Group at St. Stephens Broadway United Church. Here they enjoyed tennis, badminton, picnics and other activities with the Young Peoples Group at the Church. In 1942, they were married prior to Jack joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. They moved to Ottawa, where Grace worked for the auditing branch of the RCAF while Jack served overseas. After Jacks' release, they returned to Winnipeg. Grace was a much valued employee at the Paul Revere Life Insurance Co. as office manager. In 1967 she began to work for the Government of Manitoba, where she worked until retirement. They continued their commitment to the life of the community at St. Stephens United Church. Grace expressed her love of the children in her volunteer work in the Sunday nursery program for many years. She worked with the UCW and participated in many fundraising efforts in all areas of the Church including the "Treasures and Trifles Table" at the annual bizarre. Grace and Jack worked together in the service of the Church doing pastoral work for many years, including services at the Beacon Hill Lodge. They delivered Meals on Wheels, all along the way making lasting friendships. Grace and Jack were anonymous donors in many areas of their lives. They offered financial help when friends were in need of bills, down payments and other offerings. This generosity included foregoing the opportunity to own a home for them, so a family with a small child could move into a house rather than have to remain in a very tiny apartment while raising their daughter. This child was a much loved Goddaughter to Grace and Jack. Grace and Jack donated bursaries and scholarships to the University of Winnipeg to support students who were trying to support families while completing studies. They also gave to the Victoria General Hospital for furnishing two exam rooms in the oncology unit. Grace has been blessed with good health and given much to her community during the many years of her life. Her family was one of the most important parts of her life. She had a close and loving relationship with all of them. This closeness deepened following Jacks death, with many trips to the Coast to visit. She moved to Maple Ridge in 2013 and had many happy memories of her new friends and spending valuable time with her family in her last years. Graces lifelong interest in others and the events of the world shaped her as a woman of deep caring and concern for others. In return, the presence of Grace in the lives of those around her was blessed. This gave us all inspiration and passion to live life fully and graciously. There will be a memorial service held in Winnipeg on Saturday, May 28, 1:00 p.m. (original time was 11:00 a.m.) at Broadway Disciples United Church, formerly St. Stephens. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 21, 2016