Grace Lilian Frith

Born in 1922 in Vancouver BC, Grace graduated from the nursing program at St. Paul’s Hospital in 1946 with honours. She worked at St. Paul’s for three years, followed by a further one year of studies in teaching and supervision at the University of British Columbia, again graduating with honours. Grace and her sister Hannah then worked in nursing in Toronto for one year.

Grace started working at the Burnaby General Hospital when it opened in 1952 and stayed there for 30 years, 25 as a head nurse. She devoted her career to providing the very best in nursing care to her patients.

Grace had a sparkle in her eyes, and a smile would light up her face when she welcomed friends and family. She was a beloved aunt to a host of nephews and nieces, who have fond childhood memories of large Boxing Day celebrations at the Aunties’ home (which Grace shared with her sisters Mary and Edith), and fun times at the Aunties’ cottage in Crescent Beach.

Grace was a long-time member of the Victoria Drive Gospel Hall. She loved working in her garden, and growing flowers and vegetables. In her later years she had a greenhouse built and enjoyed getting an early start to her gardening each year. She was happy to remain in her family home until she was more than 100 years of age. She greatly appreciated the help she received in recent years from John and Linda Morton.

Grace was predeceased by her siblings John, Mary, Dave, Edith, Ben and Ruth. She is survived by her sister, Hannah, who will miss her daily telephone call with Grace, her sister-in-law June Frith, and the Frith, Morton and Grice nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at Ocean View Funeral Home, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby at 1:30pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OceanViewFuneral.com for the Frith family.

Testimony of Grace Frith

In 1905, my father, Arthur Frith, came from the Turks Island, British West Indies, to Vancouver. My mother came to Canada from a small town near London when she was 18. Both were eventually saved, baptized and in the fellowship at the Mt. Pleasant Gospel Hall. My parents were married in 1916 and some years later were in fellowship at Cedar Cottage Gospel Hall.

On July 18, 1922, I was born in our home on 12th Ave. near Fraser Street, the 4th child in the family. Later, the family moved to Nelson Ave. in Burnaby, and the family grew to 8 children. We were all taken to Sunday School and gospel meetings at a young age. All knew we were born sinners and not fit for heaven.

My older sister Mary was saved in 1929 at 10 years of age, and my oldest brother, John, was saved in 1931. In 1939, Mr. H. Harris and Mr. J. Rae had gospel meetings in South Main Gospel Hall. My brother, David, was saved, then my sister Edith, a week later. She was younger than me and for the first time I realized that I was on the way to hell. Sadly, for six years I continued off and on with real concern about my soul. I expected that a gospel verse would suddenly enlighten me.

In January 1943, I started nurses’ training at St. Paul’s Hospital, but I continued to attend gospel meetings when I was free. For all those years, many were praying for me, even people I did not know.

It was in my third year in training that gospel meetings were held in Cedar Cottage Gospel Hall. The speakers were Mr. A. Joyce and Mr. D. Adams. The last night of the meetings, I stayed behind and spoke to Mr. Adams. Then we got down to pray. Mr. Adams got up, but I was afraid to, so stayed kneeling there. Then I prayed silently, “God, I do accept the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, because I am ungodly and He died for the ungodly.” I got up, but did not feel any different.

Mr. Adams was at the back of the hall, so I said to him, “but I did accept Him as my Saviour.” He opened his Bible and read John 1:12 – “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name.” Oh, I felt such a tremendous feeling of relief – after all those years of trying and wanting to be saved, it was done!

The date was May 9th, 1945. Praise be to His Name. All these many years I have been kept. I failed to walk in His ways at times, but He has never failed me – and I will have eternity to thank and praise Him.