GRACE ELIZABETH MEALY

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MEALY: With family by her side, Grace Elizabeth Mealy passed away peacefully on July 16, 2022 at the Souris Personal Care home. Grace Elizabeth Paterson was born at Neepawa on September 8, 1931. She lived at Gladstone and Portage la Prairie, receiving her education at the Portage schools. She attended the Tuxedo Normal School in 1948 to 1949 to receive her teacher training. After leaving Normal School, her first teaching position was at Richview School south of Boissevain, and then at Elgin two years later. Grace then taught at Boissevain School for 32 years which included Grades seven and eight English. Grace's passion was her teaching career which included teaching English, Art and Drama classes and Square Dancing for festival competitions. Grace met Ivan Hudson Mealy of Fairfax and married on March 5, 1955 in Portage la Prairie. Grace and Ivan resided on the Mealy homestead founded by Ivan's great-grandfather William Mealy, who immigrated from the Isle of Man. This same farm was declared a Centennial farm by the Manitoba Historical Society in 1998. Grace was a Past Noble Grand at Countess Rebekah Lodge No. 32, Elgin, a member of Trinity United Church, Portage la Prairie, a member of Fairfax and Elgin community clubs, a long-time member of the Canadian Order of Foresters, and a member of both Elgin and Minto Curling Clubs. Grace had a special fondness for her handiwork, gardening and her flowers. She worked along side Ivan on the farm where she was dedicated to the fruits of her labours. Grace was a loving mother to her daughter Marvie, and her son Trevor, a loving grandmother to her grandsons Stirling, Taylor and Hudson, who spent many days on the farm with Grandma and Grandpa. In the summer, Grace and Ivan camped at nearby lakes and travelled in the winter to warmer climates, such as Palm Springs, Phoenix, Hawaii and Vancouver Island, BC. An exciting time for Grace was an Alaskan cruise for all of her family to be together for her 80th birthday. Mum and Dad were honoured as King and Queen of the Cruise for being the oldest couple on the dance floor. Grace is survived by her daughter Marvie of Nanaimo, BC and her son Stirling of Victoria, BC; her son Trevor (Ruth) of Minto, MB, and their sons Taylor and Hudson. She is survived by sister-in-law Yvonne Patterson of Brandon, MB and several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Grace was predeceased by her husband Ivan Hudson Mealy in 2016, parents Bertha Anne and William Paterson of Portage la Prairie; In-laws Fern and Welland Mealy of Fairfax, sisters Jean Maguire and Margaret Olson, brother Guthrie and sister-in-law Gladys Paterson; sister-in-law Doreen Halladay and brothers-in-law Paul Olson, George Maguire, Murray Patterson, Lorne Halladay, nephews Kenneth Olson, Robert Olson, Bill Paterson and niece Lauren Tate. Grace's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Sopel and the wonderful Souris Personal Care staff, where she received superior care and kindness during her stay there since May 2019. The thoughtfulness, generosity and cheery attitude of the Souris Personal Care Home staff will always be appreciated and remembered. The celebration of life was held at Souris United Church, Souris, MB on July 22, 2022. Reverend Milo Spooner-Craig officiated. A private interment was held at Rosewood Memorial Gardens on July 22, 2022. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations in memory of Grace may be made to the Minto Community Fund, c/o Municipality of Grassland, Box 53, Minto, MB ROK 1M0 or the Souris Health District Foundation, Box 311, Souris, MB R0K 2C0.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.kowalchuks.net, Kowalchuk's Funeral Home, Souris, MB.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 06, 2022