It was a pleasure to know Grace Sparry
By Susan Stein

It was in August 2006, that friends and I went to Grace Sparry, a resident at Woods Park Care Centre, to celebrate her 100th birthday.

On Saturday February 2, 2008, Grace passed away peacefully in her sleep. On Feb. 6, family and friends, gathered at St. John's Anglican Church, to pay tribute at the funeral service held for her.

After the silent procession, the hymn The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended was sung. Patsy Bosomworth had the honour of giving the eulogy. She shared with the congregation her memories of Grace as a member of the Tec We Gwill W.I. community acitivities.

Susan Morse gave the scripture readings from Revelation and Matthew.. followed by the hymn The Lord is My Shepherd and Father Rob Mitchell's heartfelt homily. The hymn Abide With Me, The Apostles' Creed, The Lord's Prayers were said. The commendation, the commital, blessing and the singing of the hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah concluded the service.

Grace, nee Tucehurst, was the wife of Alfred Sparry, who died in 2001; the mother of Susan and her husband David Morse, and Linda and her husband Alan. She was the beloved grandmother of Jennifer and her fiance Alex. She was predeceased by siblings George, Tom, Bob, Mary, all of England, Grace's native land.

It was from England that Grace came to Canada as the war bride of Alfred Sparry, whom she met as a soldier of the Canadian Army during the FIrst World War. Coming to this country required of Grace a lot of adjustments, of coping with situations, new and many times tough. With her strong spirit, Grace overcame the ups and downs of her long life, enjoing all good moments, her family, her home, her church, her lovely home in Cookstown, and until his death Alfred, the company of Alfred, the love of her life.

I had the pleasure of knowing Grace while she lived in Cookstown and with my husband Peter loved to visit her and share war stories with her and Alfred. As we always said, Grace is the perfect example of the strong Anglo-Saxon character.

Thank you Grace for giving us the honour of knowing you, may you rest in peace.