Mary Grace Thornhill (nee Dixon)
February 4, 1931 to May 17, 2021
Obituary
For those unable to attend the funeral service for Mary Grace Thornhill on Tuesday, June 1st, at 11:00 a.m you may view it via live streaming by following this link: https://tom0349.wixsite.com/streamingservices/carnells
It is with great sadness and tremendous gratitude for her life, that we announce the passing of a dear sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary Grace Thornhill on Monday, May 17, 2021 aged 90 years.
Predeceased by her parents, John R. and Eleanor (Riggs) Dixon, and brother George Dixon.
Leaving to mourn, with deep cherished memories, her brother Robert (Margaret) Dixon, sister Bea (Charlie) Pope; loving and caring children, Ann (Gerry) and Paul (Lorraine); grandchildren Jordan, Kyrsten, Baillie, Claire and Iain; great-grandchildren Tessa, Evie and Jack, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a very large circle of friends.
Special thanks are extended to Dr. Andrea Singleton and the entire staff of Cambridge Estates for the exemplary care provided to Grace over the past year. Thank you also to the staff of the Palliative Care Unit of the Leonard A. Miller Centre for their tremendous compassion and care in her final days.
Dedicated to her loving family, Grace lived a life of strength and quiet dignity and faith. Always putting the needs of others before her own, she was truly a person for others. Over the years Grace was well known for her warm personality and welcoming nature. She embraced all who visited her home by providing delicious meals and irresistible homemade preserves and sweets. During her career at the General Hospital/HSC and through her volunteer work with the United Church Women’s Group, Grace cultivated and nurtured deep and lasting friendships. Her disarming nature and uncanny ability to project love drew both children and adults to her warm embrace. While she is no longer with us, this love is ever-present in our hearts.
As per her wishes, cremation has taken place. Funeral service to take place at Gower Street United Church, Tuesday, June 1st at 11:00 am. Due to COVID restrictions attendance is by invitation only, if you wish to attend, please contact the family via this email paulthornhill91@gmail.com. The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to either Gower Street United Church or Fortune United Church.
I just watched Grace’s funeral at Gower St. United Church. Anne, Paul and family your mum was a very special person who spread joy wherever she went.
It was a privilege to be her friend., starting at Gower . We moved to Ottawa in 2014. but renewed our friendship on Facebook.
She will be missed.
Ann Paul and families
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I am so sorry for you loss. A beautiful lady inside and out Always pleasant and always smiling. Great loss. Condolences to all take care Thelma (Thornhill) and Albert Williams
I should like to pay a well-deserved tribute to Grace, whom I have known for many years at Gower
Street United Church. Her warmth and kindness, her lovely manner and interest in and concern for
people endeared her to all who had the privilege of knowing her. A person of deep faith, she inspired all
of us to live out our faith and not just to pay lip service to it. I’m sure that she has already heard from
Jesus himself these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Paula and Lorraine, Ann and Gerry,
I was so sad to hear of your Mom’s passing. It doesn’t matter what their age, to lose a parent always leaves a big hole in your life. I know that you will all miss her a great deal. She was a lovely warm woman who i’ve had the pleasure of knowing a long time. She always had a smile on her face and i’ve always enjoyed a nice little chat every time I’d bump into her. I know you have lots of wonderful memories to see you through this time!
Our deepest condolences,
Julie and Terry George
Ann, Paul and families,
Please accept our sincerest sympathy on the death of your mother/grandmother. Henry and I were deeply saddened when we leaned of her passing, even though we knew that she was very ill. In spite of her age, I thought of her as ‘young’. She was such a good friend and mentor and I will miss her so much and will remember her always, especially when setting the table and presenting the food for a meal. As our mutual friend, Marion Tizzard, said to me, ‘she could do that better than anyone we knew’. The picture you have chosen for her obituary is beautiful, and will be the way I remember her. I wish I could be there to offer stories and condolences personally and to celebrate with you her great long life. Henry joins me in sending you our deepest sympathy and our love and prayers for the days ahead.
Shirley Andrews
Paul and Ann and families,
We are deeply saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. Grace was a wonderful, kind and loving person who always had a contagious smile on her face. We have many good memories of her from Gower Street United Church and from other various events. Please accept our sincere condolences. Sincerely, Daphne and Kimberly
Paul and Ann and families,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I have such fond memories of her from my childhood and also my adult years when she and Mom visited often each other.
She was a wonderful person .
Ann&Gerry, Paul&Lorraine, Bea&Charlie, Bob&Margaret
I am so deeply saddened by the passing of my very dear friend, Grace. We have been very good friends since childhood, a friendship that remained close throughout our lives. I think of all the good times we enjoyed together.
I am sure there are many of her friends who will also greatly miss her- in St. John’s, Fortune, and elsewhere.
My deepest sympathy is sent to the whole family, including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren , of whom she was so fond.
Sincerely,
Bertha
Ann and Paul,
My sincerest sympathy to you and your families. It was my pleasure to know Grace and our many games of bridge. May her soul rest in peace.
Ann, Paul & Families, we are so sorry to hear of Grace’s passing. She was a very generous and caring lady who we got to know well at Grey Cliffe. Please accept our sincere condolences. Rest In Peace, Grace.
Paul and Ann, our deepest condolences go out to you and your families. Your mother was one of the sweetest and kindest person I knew, she will be deeply missed.
Ann, Paul, Bea ,Bob and families…
We are so sorry to hear of Graces’s passing. She was a very special lady. One of the best. Please accept our very sincere sympathy.
Bea and Allan Stoodley
Our sincere condolences to the entire family
Ann, Paul, Bea and all the family.
My sincere condolences to all of you. Your Mom/Sister was a beautiful woman who was kind to everyone. We were friends for years and, even though we lost touch over the past years, I have never forgotten our times together and how much I enjoyed her company. Your beautiful memories of her will get you through this sad time.
Joan (Summers) Monk
Sending heartfelt condolences to all family and loving friends. I have fond memories of ‘Auntie Grace’. Which I am honoured to call her, although not formally part of the family.
Delicious food always comes to mind.
A beautiful loving person. Sincere regards and virtual hugs.
Jane Hughes (Edgar)
Ann, Gerry, Paul and Lorraine,
Please accept our deepest condolences. Grace was such a beautiful woman, always sweet and kind. She had a gorgeous smile and was genuinely thrilled to talk to anyone she met. We will forever remember walking past her apartment and smelling the scent of Christmas cakes she started baking in early December for the church. She was an angel on earth.
-Jim Casey and Steve & Edwina Mills
Bea and Charlie and family. Bea, so sorry to hear of your sister Mary Grace’s passing.. we were happy to have met her when she visited you in Florida. May your memory of her always wrap you on comfort.
What a beautiful picture…you have captured you mother perfectly. My condolences to all of you. I treasure my memories of the times we spent together playing cards and berry picking in Old Perlican.
Daphne Butler
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
I am so sorry to hear of Grace’s passing. Our families were life long friends, and I know she will be missed. You are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Eleanor Lake
Aldergrove, BC
Pail & Ann & families, So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing .she was a beautiful woman so happy all the time.Spent time @ your house specially babysitting both of you. Thinking of you.
Such a lovely lady,, a neighbour up the street from us. I believe she may have worked in the store when youngl. Blessings to the family.
I’m sending my condolences to all the family, Grace was a lovely lady and I got to know her at Greycliff.
Dear Paul & Ann,
Sincere condolences on the passing of your Mom. She was such a kind and beautiful woman. I remember her visiting my Mom and Dad, as they were great friends. Thinking of you at this very sad time. God bless
The UCW group of Gower St. United Church express our sincere condolences to family & friends on the passing of our dear Grace!
Grace was a longtime devoted member of our group & was loved & respected by All! We will certainly miss her warm presence & beautiful smile.
Rest In Peace , Dear Grace! You will always be remembered by your UCW “sisters “.
So sorry to hear of Grace’s passing Paul and Ann, she was a great lady. She always made us feel welcome and great, hanging out in your house, in that great room on the upper floor of your house on Eldon Street in Fortune after road hockey or soccer .God bless Grace, and Max too, and you guys as well, at this time
To Paul Ann and families
So sorry to hear of Grandma Grace’s passing. We all have lots of wonderful memories of time spent with her when the children were young..Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this difficult time .
Susan Amanda and Allison
To Ann, Paul and all the Thornhill and Dixon families.
My sincerest sympathy at the loss of this wonderful woman whom I was fortunate to call both cousin and friend.
To Ann, Paul and your families
Sending caring thoughts your way at this sad time.
Peter and Elizabeth Downton
My condolences to the Thornhill Family on the passing of their Mother.
To Paul, Ann and families:
Our condolences on the lost of your dear Mom. I always felt welcome in your home. Your Mom always had a smile for me and her banana cream dessert was the best.
Rest in peace, Grace.
Paul, Ann and families
So sorry to hear of your Moms passing, your Mom was a great friend of mine when you guys lived here in Fortune. Thinking of you in the days ahead.
Yours truly
Charlotte (Tot) Piercey
sincere sympathy to the families. Grace will be remembered for her gentle manner and the care and compassion she always had for others. A life well lived.
Bea and Charlie Pope
Sandra and I offer our deepest sympathies on Mary Grace’s passing. Although we did not know her we are certain she was an exceptional lady based upon the fine qualities of Bea.. God bless
I offer my sincere sympathy to Grace’s family on the passing of our “Amazing Grace”. Her friendship was a treasure, her guidance and encouragement unequaled and her strong faith unwavering. She taught us Gower UCW folks to put extra effort and care into everything that represented our church to the community and she surely knew how to do just that … lessons we will never forget. What a pleasure it was to know her and call her my friend.
Paul, Ann and families,
Sorry to read today the passing of your mother. B
My deepest sympathy to you all at this sad times .
Thinking of you at this.
Edward Keeping
Formerly of Fortune
Ann and Gerry, so sorry to hear your mom has passed away. What a wonderful long life she lived. Deepest condolences to the entire Thornhill family.
Take care, Maureen.
Grace was a very dear friend for over 30 years. Such a precious caring person.. All my family and I loved her dearly. My condolences to all her family.
Ann and Paul so sorry of your mother passing her was great lady and I remember her well growing up in Fortune, Georgina Harris moulton,