Grace Harle Adshade

Grace was born in South Shields, England, and spent her childhood in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she was evacuated to the countryside during World War II. She later immigrated to the United States with her parents, Alexander Gold Brown and Edith Brown (née Harle), and her brother Ian Brown (all predeceased), settling in Ithaca, New York. She made her way to Toronto in her early 20s, where she worked for the DuBarry Cosmetics Company and met Reginald Adshade, whom she married in 1959. Together they raised four children: Pamela, Jonathan (deceased), Marina, and David.

In 1968, the family moved to Collingwood, Ontario, where Grace’s entrepreneurial journey began. Over the decades, she built a remarkable legacy, founding and operating several successful business enterprises, including The Alphorn restaurant in Craigleith, Ontario. She was especially proud of being president of Adshade Mechanical, a company she and Reg founded in 1974 and ran together for four decades. She remained actively involved in her business ventures until the very end, still discussing year-end reports the week before her passing.

Grace cherished time spent at the family cottage on Horseshoe Lake, hosting lively gatherings with friends and family, including her dear friend Helen Woodward. Though she didn’t drink, she loved a happy hour, cribbage games she almost always won, and late-night Rummikub with her grandchildren.

For over 20 years, Grace and Reg spent winters in Cape Province, South Africa, where they found a second home and lasting friendships. She was a graceful skier who returned to the slopes in Austria each January until Reg’s passing in 2006.

In her later years, Grace lived at Lighthouse Point in Collingwood, walking the shores of Georgian Bay daily and enjoying the company of close friends, especially Margaret Knight, Victoria Williams and Tom Patterson. Following her diagnosis with Parkinson Plus in 2023 – a rare neurological condition – Grace relocated to Vancouver to be near family. There, she received loving care at Casa Mia, where the staff, along with her caregiver Fahima Asiimwe, helped ensure her final year was filled with laughter, joy, and music.

Grace died as she lived – on her own terms. Sharp, stylish, and full of grace. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing; she was still singing along at a garden party the day before she passed, her hair done and her red lipstick on. She never lost her mental clarity or wit and remained a bright and engaging presence right to the end.

Grace is survived by her children Pamela (Donald), Marina, and David (Allison); her beloved grandchildren Regina, Duncan, Anson, and Evelyn; and many friends across Canada, South Africa, and beyond.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her beauty, intellect, resilience and generosity.

A service to celebrate Grace’s life will be held in Collingwood, Ontario, at a later date (to be announced).

In honour of Grace’s lifelong generosity, the family invites those wishing to do so to consider making a donation to Dress for Success, a charity helping women thrive in the workforce – an ideal tribute to Grace’s own legacy of strength, independence, and entrepreneurship.