(nee Rittenhouse)
September 2, 1927 – September 20, 2014
Grace passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the age of 87. She is survived by her son Craig and daughters Colleen and Patty.
In 1948, Grace graduated from the Edmonton General School of Nursing. Shortly thereafter she married Charlie (whom she met at a dance attended by nurses and a collection of engineers and surveyors) and they embarked on a life that took them from survey camps in the Rockies to Calgary, Edmonton and other cities. Her nursing career took her from a small hospital in Invermere to Calgary’s Foothills Hospital, where she worked as an emergency nurse and in other areas. She was a gifted and compassionate nurse, and also brought that same care to strangers, family and the small pets that came and went in our family.
Grace was defined by her lively curiosity and interest in life. She was our family’s resident handyman and interpreter of manuals; she loved cards and games and enjoyed trying new adventures such as gold-panning or setting off on a road trip with Charlie. In Winnipeg she launched a second career as a realtor and took great satisfaction helping young and first time buyers find something that could meet their needs and budgets.
Our family would like to offer our gratitude and thanks for the specialized care our mother received from the respiratory and cardiology staff at Vancouver General Hospital and the local care she received at St. Mary’s Hospital. As well, we would like to thank Dr. Hourigan for his long term care of our mother, and Dr. Swiston for his specialized assistance and care.
Grace’s wisdom, kindness and humor made her beloved by friends and family and we will miss her dearly.