November 10, 1931 – May 12, 2013
On May 12, Grace Ruth Fennell of Chu Chua passed away. Grace is survived by her husband of 56 years Norman (Bud) their six children Norman (Carla), Lorene, Tim (Marg), Kerry (Kim), Evelyn (Mike), Darrell (Colleen) and twelve grand children. She is survived by her brother Albert, brother Don (Sandra), and sister in law Madeline Gibson. She was predeceased by her sister Audrey and brother Ernie.
At the age of 19 Grace began her teaching career at the little red school house in Chu Chua in 1951. She also taught at the Louis Creek, Barriere and Chinook Cove schools. She took nine years off to have her six children before returning to teaching at Barriere Elementary in 1969. She came back to Chu Chua (1974-1984) then taught at Barriere Ridge and Barriere Elementary before retiring in 1987. She continued to substitute when requested at all Barriere schools, Little Fort and at Neqweyqwelsten at Chu Chua.
Grace loved teaching, her students, her neighbours and her community. She continued to foster learning by organizing demo days at the Barriere Museum and volunteering to teach life skills at the Barriere High School.
Grace was a member of the Barriere Heritage Society and was passionate at preserving local history and heritage. She spent countless hours researching and documenting local family stories for the history book ‘Exploring Our Roots’ published in 2004.
Grace was always very busy and creative right up until the last two weeks of her life. She loved gardening, knitting, crocheting, canning, making furniture, baskets and trellises, organizing family events and looking after her grandchildren.
Services will be held at the Chu Chua Community Hall at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 18.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Barriere Heritage Society, the RIH Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.NorthThompsonFuneral.com