BLY, GRACE CECILIA Born in Toronto, Ontario, on September 1, 1922 to Bessie Grey (Jacobs) and Albert Grey. Passed away on June 1, 2021. Loving mother of John (Joan) and cherished grandmother to: John Jr. (deceased), Beverly, and Elizabeth (deceased). She was predeceased by her husband (Bill); siblings: Mona Ruston, Constance Snarr, Douglas Grey and Bessie Kereluk. She leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews in Ontario, British Columbia, and the US. Grace or “Gracie” as she was affectionately known, grew up in Toronto with her mother and four siblings, moving over twenty times in her childhood and teenage years.
Grace learned responsibility and hard work at a young age, after the death of her father when she was three and a half years old. Grace worked at many different jobs as she was growing up until she found her home with the Hydroelectric Power Commission of Ontario in 1951. She started in the typing pool and would go on to enjoy a thirty-plus year career. Grace enjoyed her work and loved to learn. She worked closely with Engineers and worked on early mainframe computers. She had extensive knowledge of the power grid, creating a colour-coded chart to explain the grid to new Engineers and others. Grace’s retirement in 1983 did not stop her from learning and “working”. She enjoyed a second career as a Certified Handwriting Analyst, graduating as a Master Graphoanalyst in 1985, at age 63. She also participated in Toastmasters, to get over her fear of public speaking; volunteered with the local literacy organization, church and extensively in Richmond Hill. Grace held leadership positions with the McConaghy Seniors Club, IGAS Ontario Chapter, taught line dancing to seniors into her 90s and was involved in Club 35 Seniors.
Grace was always actively involved in her community, from campaigning to get a road fixed in the 1950s, to visiting friends and seniors in long term care and retirement homes. Grace travelled extensively in her retirement, visiting Alaska, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, to name a few. She loved road trips, to visit family in Eastern Ontario, and taking trips to BC, to visit her younger sister and her family. Grace loved to try new adventures, including roller skating, hot air ballooning in her 80s and going on a speed boat tour in Vancouver at age 94. Grace remained independent and lived on her own. She was an avid reader and ensured that she knew everyone by their first name.
The family is very thankful to her PSWs, Cindy and Borgia, who helped Grace get ready for the day every morning. Grace will be very missed by her family and friends, and the lives she touched throughout her 98 years.
A Livestream Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home, 905-727-5421. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Grace’s memory may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation; Scott Mission; or Yonge Street Mission.
Livestream link and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the BLY family. Grace, Grandma, you are an inspiration. We love you and miss you.
