LUCILLE (SYMES) GRACEY

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LUCILLE (SYMES) GRACEY Lucille Gracey, RN, born November 16, 1923 in Winnipeg, MB, daughter of the late George and Louise Symes, died November 11, 2000 in Victoria, BC. Beloved wife of Cecil for almost 45 years, much loved mother of Rowena (Mike) McGinty, Sapporo, Japan; Meredith (Rob) Hunter, Victoria, BC; Cynthia (Ryan Dunch), Edmonton, AB; loving grandmother to Daniel, Patrick and Megan McGinty; Campbell, Evan and Liam Hunter; Melanie, Kieran and Jonah Dunch. Predeceased by brothers Arthur and George, she is survived by her sisters Gene (Carl) Olson, Winnipeg, MB, and Myra (Robert) Luke, Orillia, ON; sisters-in-law Beryl Symes, Lachine, PQ and Dorothy Moore, Bangor, N. Ireland; six nieces and nephews, and her aunt Gertrude Laing, Calgary, AB. Lucille grew up in St. Vital, MB, attending Glenwood School and then Gordon Bell High School, Winnipeg. She graduated from The Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1946 before going on to complete the Diploma in Missions program at the London Bible Institute, Ontario. Lucille became the Canadian travelling secretary for the Nurses Christian Fellowship, a ministry of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), visiting schools of nursing through Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. In 1954, supported by Bethesda Church in Winnipeg, she went to Language School in Singapore under the auspices of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (formerly China Inland Mission) where she met and married Cecil. They were assigned to minister among Chinese people in rural areas of Malaysia at a time when the country was undergoing major political unrest and change. The family left Malaysia in 1967 for health reasons, taking on responsibility as managers of the OMF Mission homes in Philadelphia and in Toronto. During this period, Lucille also served on the Candidate Committee for the Mission and continued to be a faithful mentor to many women worldwide. Along with Cecil she carried on an active ministry in Canada and the US on behalf of overseas Chinese and international students, and after retirement in Victoria, with seniors as well. Lucille loved to swim, working as a lifeguard in Winnipeg and as waterfront director at Manitoba Pioneer Camp. Throughout her life she maintained an enormous correspondence internationally, despite many responsibilities with her church, with OMF and NCF/IVCF and other groups wherever she lived. In her latter years, she enjoyed being a volunteer in the Emergency Room of the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, visiting with her children and grandchildren, and organizing wonderful outings with Cecil and their many visitors. Her family is most grateful to those who loved and cared for her during her last days in Hospice. Lucille gifted us all with her love and grace. She reached out to so many and touched lives in a deep and profound way. Her tireless giving and compassion for others will never be forgotten. We will miss her dearly but know that she is now with the One who loved her most. No eye has seen, no hear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those whom live him. I Corinthians 2:9 A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Lambrick Park Church, 1780 Feltham Rd., Victoria BC, with the Re. Tom Cowan officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to OMF International or to IVCF, #202-8606 Fraser St., Vancouver, BC V5X 3Y3, or to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 15, 2000