Dinah Grace

Dinah was born July 24th, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario, and was adopted by her parents Cyril Palmer and Margaret Jean McCormick. Her steel trap of a memory kept her childhood alive as she often reminisced about her girlhood days. Her formative years were spent at summer camps, Camp Inawendiwin in Dorset and Camp Lake Temagami. Those camp experiences developed her leadership skills, built lifelong friendships and an extraordinary lexicon of camp songs which she sang, quite literally, until her dying days. Cape Cod was another place she spoke of fondly, with memories from her youth, and as a mother sharing the Cape with her kids. She would also recall her time teaching sailing in Bermuda.

She left Toronto in 1973 for Seabright, where life in the Bay brought friendships (starting with the Idlers and regular neighborhood gatherings), community and adventure. Her deep love of the outdoors stayed with her and flourished in St. Margaret's Bay. Always drawn to the water, she was happiest swimming, sailing, paddling a canoe, or sitting on the deck watching the waves in Seabright or at a cabin at Milford House, preferably surrounded by family and friends.

Her love of the water and boating led her to the Red Cross, first teaching swimming, and then as a Small Craft Safety Instructor. She shared this love with her family, bringing Dave with her to provincial canoe schools where they enjoyed teaching and paddling together. Her kids remember happy times sailing the Bay in Tudlik. She taught multiple generations to swim, most recently her great grandson last summer: “Chin up, look at the clouds and float”.

Dinah’s care and commitment to the experiences of youth extended beyond her family and led her to becoming a Brown Owl and a Cadet Leader. Among the highlights was her great canoe adventure to Dawson City, Yukon leading a group of Guiders. She took great pride and pleasure advising and participating in international Guiding celebrations. Proudly, Dinah - aka Hawkeye - was the National Camp Commissioner for the Girl Guides of Canada from 1996-1999. In all, Dinah provided 57 years of service to the Girl Guides of Canada.

When Dave and Dinah blended their lives and families in 1982, they promised each other a life of adventure and to grow old together. That’s exactly what they did as they travelled the world with friends and family and, most importantly, each other.

Four teenagers in the house wasn’t enough of a challenge for Dinah, so in 1984 she decided to earn her Bachelor of Commerce degree at 40 with Dave’s full support. That experience led to an ongoing commitment to Saint Mary’s University where she remained active with Alumni activities, and forever a Santamarian.

Her calendar was rarely empty and her love of community and giving back paired well with her inability to sit still for longer than a good glass of wine. She was a member of the St Margaret Sailing Club and remained a devoted lifetime member of the St Margarets Bay Stewardship Association and the One Parent Family Association.

Later in life, Dinah decided to find her birth family, memorably leading her to Michigan to meet her three sisters and their families. Her generosity and adoption origin story made her definition of family broader than most; she never considered blood to be a requirement.

Dinah made every event an occasion. A true hostess with the mostest, she will be honoured with a good centerpiece and a shared meal. We hope you’ll think of her when a blue jay flies by or you find a particularly good bargain.

Dinah was thankful for the excellent care she received from physicians, nurses, and health care staff during her treatments, care, and follow-ups. And never one to miss an opportunity to express gratitude, Dinah (and her family), offer a special thank you to Dr. Holly Zwicker for decades of loving care.

Dinah is lovingly remembered by her husband, David Grace; her children, Kelton (Susie) and Michelle (former son in law Cheick and his son Isaac); her step-sons, Jim Grace (Jen) and Peter Grace (Corinne); her granddaughter, Koumbie (Taylor); her step-great-granddaughter, Hope and her great-grandson, Tumaini. Plus, of course, her adored and ever loyal black lab Morgan-Anne.

“We are all different, that’s what makes life fun.” - Dinah Grace

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to a charity of your choice, or making a memorial donation in honour of Dinah Grace, to the IMPACT Fund at the Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University, as part of a celebration of her life and lasting legacy. Donations may be made online at giving.smu.ca Please indicate IMPACT Fund in memory of Dinah Grace. Thank you.

The gathering will take place 2pm - 4pm on November 25th, 2026th at Snow’s Funeral Home. A short program will take place around 2:30pm. 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS B3S 0E1