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GRACE TOLSON MITCHELL (nee Hendy), 57, died December 1st, 2007 at her home in Nanaimo.  Grace was born March 8th, 1950 in Bermuda to The Venerable Albert Edward Hendy and Mary Eleanor Hendy (nee Morrison).

Growing up the daughter of an Anglican priest, Grace moved a lot as a child but was very supportive of her family. She befriended people easily, maintaining contact throughout her life with the immediate and extended families she created in each place she lived.

Grace graduated from Mt. Doug Senior Secondary and then went on to get her teacher’s certificate at the University of Victoria.  Grace met Evan through family connections and they were married in 1970. They have treasured 37 wonderful years of marriage. 

Evan’s job with Woodwards also meant that they moved around a lot throughout Alberta and BC and Grace continued to make friends wherever they went.  She worked at a variety of administration jobs throughout her life, and was extremely competent and valued in every position she held.  She enjoyed her work but at the end of the day her greatest pleasure was to concentrate on family and friends.

Grace was always active in the church and in supporting her children, Sean and Aaron, in all of their activities – particularly basketball.  She loved gardening and going for walks.  Grace is an honourary life member of the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan.

Grace was a voracious reader, an undiscovered talent as a writer, and had a gift for all aspects of language.  She had an amazing way of expressing herself and was always a stickler for grammar, punctuation and spelling.  She had a huge amount of common sense, and was a compassionate and understanding listener to many of her colleagues and friends.  Grace will be remembered for her integrity, stoicism, perceptiveness and delightful sense of humor.

Grace is survived by her loving husband Evan Mitchell, son Sean (Trish); son Aaron; sister Anne (John); nephew Miles; brother-in-law Angus (Brigit); nephew Scott; sister-in-law Pattie; nephew Paul; niece Allison; nephew Cameron and nephew Andrew.  She is also survived by beloved Springer spaniels Gabriella and Tsar.

A service celebrating Grace’s life will be held Saturday, December 8th at 10:30am at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 29 Church Street, Nanaimo, BC.  It will be officiated by The Venerable Brian Evans with homily by The Venerable Barbara Clay.  Reception to follow in the Parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Haven Society (PO Box 311, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5L3) or the Canadian Cancer Society (565 10th Avenue West, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4J4).  Many thanks to Dr. Forrester, Dr. Ronald and the staff at NRGH; Dr. Lim, the Cancer Clinic staff and the Canadian Cancer Society Lodge in Victoria.

 Arrangements confidently assigned to: TELFORD’S MID-ISLAND MEMORIAL SERVICES  751-2254



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