Grace Elizabeth Mavis (Moses)
Passed away peacefully at Kennebec Manor Nursing Home, Saint John, NB, on November 16th at age 98.
Born in Aberdeen Scotland, Grace immigrated to Canada in 1910, to New Westminster, B.C. She was a graduate of Duke of Connaught High School. She married Edward Albion Mavis in Chilliwack, B.C in 1935. He predeceased her in 1981. Grace lived with her husband and son Ross in Burnaby before moving to Maple Ridge and then to Port Hardy following her husband’s death. Grace was often called Amazing Grace by those who knew her for her tireless energy and unstinting generosity in helping others. While living in Port Hardy, she was a volunteer for the Fort Rupert School kindergarten. More than 50 children knew her as ‘Grandma’ and would often run up and greet her in town and at school. When cruise ships called, Grace would greet visitors at the Port Hardy wharf and give visitors a shell from the beach as a memento of the North Island. She received many letters from world-wide visitors who thanked her for her warm welcome. She was an active member of the Senior Citizens group and during her time in Maple Ridge was a life member of the Maple Ridge Rod and Gun Club. She won many trophies for fly fishing and bowling. In 1991, when 84 years old, she moved to Saint John, N.B. to again be with her son Ross and daughter-in-law Willa. She was a life member of the Seagulls seniors group. More than 100 family and friends attended Grace’s 90th birthday party in Langley, BC and her 95th birthday in Saint John.
She was an active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and supported World Vision children in Africa for more than 35 years. Among her interests were sketching and watercolour painting, bowling, fishing and camping. She is survived by her only son Ross and his wife Willa of Saint John, her grandsons Philip (Michelle) and Darren of Nanaimo, B.C. and granddaughter Morgan of Toronto, step grandson Greg Colpitts (Odette Landry) of Rothesay, N.B., and great grandchildren Dylan, Port McNeil, Darius and Brooklyn, Abbotsford and Ryan, Rothesay, N.B.
Cremation will take place through Cavanaugh Funeral Home, Saint John. A memorial service is to be held at Inn on the Cove & Spa on Friday, November 25th at 2:00 p.m. Grace’s ashes will be interred next to her husband at Valley View Cemetery in Newton, B.C. The family requests no flowers. Donations may be made in her name to ‘Children of the World’ through World Vision of Canada.