Dorothy Leriene Annie (Vernon) Gratias passed into the arms of her Loving Savior on Thursday, August 9th at 4:57 PM Eastern time, at the age of 94. Born to Everett and Annie Vernon on February 13, 1928, at Vancouver General Hospital, Dorothy was the youngest of six children, the first five being boys.
Dorothy is survived by her brother, Norm Vernon; children, Don Gratias (Marilyn), Pattie Giesbrecht (Terry), and Ruth McCracken (Robert); grandchildren Jeff Gratias (Beth), Aaron Gratias (Heather), Tammy Brandt (Cameron), Brice Giesbrecht (Sallie), Lorrie Giesbrecht, Melody Walker (Chris), Amy Brown (Jon), 18 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Gordon Walter Gratias; parents, Everett and Annie Vernon; brothers James, Will, Gordon, and Frank Vernon.
On October 4, 1939, Dorothy accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and faithfully followed him alongside her husband, Gordon, hosting ministry workers in their home and serving the local believers through conferences and their gospel tape ministry, Truth on Tape. Her life verse was John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Dorothy had a pony and a pet goat when she was growing up which she enjoyed immensely. When she was in grade ten, she quit school to work at Hudson’s Bay. She also worked at Sweet 16 Clothing where she sewed clothes.
Dorothy was engaged when she was eighteen and married the love of her life from Seattle, Gordon Walter Gratias. They were married on June 19th, 1946. They lived in Seattle where they raised their three children, Donald, Patricia and Ruth. Dorothy had many talents. Besides being a great wife and homemaker she made her own clothes. She was well known for her baking and family and friends looked forward to her holiday bake boxes for many years.
She had a very strong faith and enjoyed reading the Bible and singing hymns. Above all, Dorothy loved her grandchildren. She fondly recalled being called “Gammy”. Memories of her wedding and her family made Dorothy proud. Before moving back to Canada she enjoyed working as a food service supervisor at the University of Washington. She is also known for managing an apartment building on Comox, “Park Vista,” until she retired in 2007. Dorothy and Gordon lived on the 13th floor and were very social with the community that lived there until Gordon passed away in 2008 from a heart attack. Dorothy had a very close friend, June McNiell, who visited her often in Columbus Residence where Dorothy had lived for the past five years. June was with her when she passed away.
The family would like to thank June McNiell and all the wonderful staff at Columbus Residence for the loving care they gave to Dorothy and the family.
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