Whitfield, Grace Katherine

Grace Katherine Whitfield who was given the gift of life on April 17, 1924 had that gift taken back on July 10, 2017 with family at her side in Kootenay Lake Hospital.  

Grace was born in Normanby Twp., Ont., the tenth of sixteen children born to Philip and Lowine Binkley of Hudson Bay, Sask.  She left the Saskatchewan family farm and worked in the Small Arms Factory and then in the “Secretarial Pool” in Regina during WWII, where she met the love of her life, “Jack”.  

After marrying on Oct. 15, 1945 they moved to Nelson, BC where all four of their children were born and raised.   Grace loved to garden, bowl, golf, play cards and especially scrabble.  She also enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting, crocheting, crafting, sewing, quilting, Church teas & bazaars, and any other possible thing she could do for her family. Summers at the “cabin” in Queens Bay were some of her favourite times.  

After entertaining family and friends all summer at the lake Grace & Jack would take a much needed vacation.  They took their motorhome across Canada, to Alaska, and several trips to the USA where they became snowbirds in Yuma.

Grace was predeceased by her husband Jack in 2002, son-in-law Jerry Miller in 2014, brothers Elgar, Elmer, Harold, Robert, and Lorne, sisters Ruth, Eileen, Selma and Marge, also several brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws.

Left with the gift of her memories are her daughters Gale Miller, Cyndi Sarton (Lloyd) and Trish Meeker, son John Whitfield (Karen), grandchildren Lee Miller (Janet), Kim (Miller) Schamp, Jaclyn (Whitfield) Watson, Mike Whitfield (Brandi), Jen (Sarton) Forestier (Marc), Jill (Sarton) Ulliac (Jamie), Cori Meeker, great-grandchildren Hadley & Shelby Miller, Grayson & Stewart Schamp, Grace, Joe &  Eli Watson, Rylee Whitfield, Kylie Forestier, Leila & Zander Ulliac, Oz Meeker, brothers Norman, Allan, Mervyn and Russell, sisters Louella & Mona, brother-in-law Bud Whitfield and several relatives & friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kirsten & his staff for their compassionate care.  We also thank the amazing nurses, care aides, housekeeping & dietary staff, physio and “Annie” for all the care and smiles they gave to Grace.  You are all truly wonderful people.

There will be no public service held in accordance with her wishes. Cremation has taken place.  Online condolences can be made through Thompson Funeral Service.

Grace left this world the same way she lived her life, gently, graciously and like a lady.  She’s left our arms but never our hearts.