Grace Thrasher

Our mom Grace Thrasher, passed away on August 25th at the Pembroke Regional Hospital. She was a strong little lady. Both her sons, Phillip and Kevin had recently visited with her this summer. Phil and his wife Janice, and their son Andrew, of Dallas, spend time at their cottage on Round Lake and often popped into town to see her. Kevin saw mom a few days before she passed and got to kiss her good bye one last time before returning home to Calgary. Grace was married to our dad, Mendel, in 1953 and they were together until dad died in January 2013. And, they were almost always together. Mom looked after dad and was up to the challenge of trying to keep his boundless energy in the paddock. Grace was a devoted Anglican and was a strong supporter of her church, the Holy Trinity Anglican Church. When she was younger, she would often volunteer, helping the church and the community as much as she could. She was also a devoted Conservative (she approached politics with near religious zeal). We still would talk politics every time we spoke on the phone. Grace was very close to her mother Etta, and both she and Mendel helped Grace's sisters and brothers look after their mom after Nannie's husband, Harvey died, in 1955. Her sisters, Lois and Mona, and their brothers Kenny, Grant and Gerald all grew up in a tiny home on Pembroke Street West. Lois and her husband Harold Rayson still live there though they have added on to the original homestead. Grace and Mendel were constant hosts for get togethers at their cottage in Round Lake over the years. Mom was always the organizer for the meals and work details and kept the parties on the rails. Dad was the social convener and chaired the entertainment committees and mom was administration. It was a good partnership. Grace loved looking after all of the kids that would show up at the cottage in tow with their parents. She could not bear to hear a child cry and would run instinctively to see if there was something she could do. All of her nephews and nieces have had their children babysat by Aunt Grace. She was very proud of her sons' successes, Phil in business world and Kevin in school and the law. She would always want to know about her daughter-in-law, Janice, and her cherished grandson, Andrew and how they were doing in Texas. She got to spoil Andrew in his many sleep overs growing up at the cottage with lots of love and treats while sharing his passion for hockey. Grace was also very proud of her husband's war service and the sacrifices he made to keep bread on the table. More than anything, Grace loved to hear dad play his music. She was his roadie for all of his gigs. When Mendel passed last year, it was only a matter of time before she would decide to follow him to be with him at his next performance. We are sure she is listening to him playing his trusty saw right now. We all miss you mom. A final note, Phil and I wanted to thank our cousin Mack Thrasher who has been truly selfless in caring for our parent's needs over many years. Mack, you are very special man and no thanks can express our appreciation for all of the things you have done for Grace and Mendel over the years. Thanks to Lois and Harold along with Mona who would regularly check in on Mom and keep her connected to the goings on in church and her many friends who always asked how Grace was doing. Thanks also to all of you who looked in on the Thrasher's over the years. You too are appreciated beyond words.