Grace Claeys

Days before her 103rd birthday our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and Friend passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side.

She leaves to mourn her daughter Corrinne, sons Ron and Darcy, daughter in law Sharon, Grandchildren Joel, Suzanne, Richard (Tarrah), Bryan (Sarah), Raylene (Ben) and Great Grandchildren Destiny, Carleigh, William, Emily and Malahki.

She was predeceased by her husband Jules, son Remi, granddaughter Amanda, son in law Rey and special friend & companion Eric Mills.

Born and raised in Transcona Grace and Jules were married in 1940 and raised their family on a dairy farm just east of Transcona. Following the expropriation of their land for the building of the Red River Floodway, Grace and Jules bought a grain farm in Dufresne, which they operated till Jules’s passing in 1989.

Grace loved to travel. She took numerous bus tours across Canada including the Yukon, Alaska, most of the United States. She also travelled to Europe, parts of China, Malaysia and India, Great Britan, Japan and Netherlands. Following Jules’s passing she met her next companion Eric Mills while on a tour in Europe. Grace’s parents were born in England as was Eric who then came to reside in Australia. This began a 20 year journey with Grace spending 6 months of the year in Australia then 6 months in Canada with a lot of stops in Hawaii, which they both enjoyed.

Following Eric’s passing, Grace continued living on her own in her trailer in Lorette. Enjoying visits from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was fiercely independent, strong willed and she also continued driving her car well into her 90’s.

With the support of family and friends mom continued living on her own in good health until a couple of months ago when a fall put her in the hospital and her health declined.

Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and Aides who cared for Grace in her final days at HSC, Ste Anne Hospital and St Boniface Hospital. Thanks to Penny the Therapy Dog who provided Grace comfort and a big smile on her final days. And a special thank you to Teresa and Laurie who checked on Grace when family couldn’t. Teresa, you became more than a volunteer becoming a caring friend to Grace.

Honoring Grace’s wishes no formal service will be held. A private Celebration of Life was held by the family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Grace’s memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society or Charity of your choice.