GRACE AGNES DARCY

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GRACE AGNES DARCY Grace Agnes DArcy died peacefully February 25, 2003 in her 94th year. Born in Calgary, AB, she grew up in Chemainus and Nanaimo. Grace was predeceased by her parents, the Rev. Canon Septimus Ryall and Agnes Ballingall Ryall, as well as her four brothers and two sisters. Following graduation from U.B.C. (BA 1929) Grace taught school in Victoria before moving to St. Michaels Residential School, Alert Bay (1932 to 1936) where she established lifelong friendships amongst her students. In 1936 Grace taught in Duncan. She married Geoffrey DArcy in 1937 in Victoria where their children were born over the next three years. From 1941 to 1947 Grace worked as a substitute teacher at Oak Bay High and St. Margarets Schools. For the next five years Grace taught in a one-room school in Telegraph Cove where the enrollment included her own three children. From 1952 to 1964 Grace served as teacher-librarian in the Parksville Qualicum school district. In 1964 Grace obtained her Master of Library Science Degree from the University of Washington after completing fieldwork at Stanford University. She relocated to Winnipeg to accept the position of Supervisor of School Libraries for the Province of Manitoba until her retirement in 1974. Grace then returned to her beloved home in Parksville where she remained until her death. In retirement Grace was active in her community with S.O.S., District 69 Historical Society, University Womens Club and her church. Survived by her daughter, Faith (Ralph Crozier) sons, Richard (Heather) and Christopher (Deborah) grandchildren, Michael, Rebecca (Vladimir Cizek), Alexandra, Graeme, Nathaniel and Winston; great-granddaughters, Erika, Grace and Sofia Isabel in Prague and many nieces, nephews and loyal friends. The family particularly thanks Community Care Services Home Support for their interested and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations in Graces memory, may be made to the Scholarship Fund of C.F.U.W. Parksville-Qualicum Club, P.O. Box 113, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7 or Parish of St. Annes / St. Edmunds Bursary Centenary Trust, 407 Wembley Rd., Parksville, BC V9P 2B2. A celebration of Graces life took place March 1 at St. Annes / St. Edmunds Anglican Church, Parksville, BC followed by interment in St. Annes Cemetery. YATES FUNERAL SERVICE AND CREMATORIUM (1-877-264-3848) in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2003