Obituary of Grace Manners

BIOGRAPHY MANNERS ~ Grace Elaine Manners passed away peacefully in the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Monday, August 9, 2010 at the age of 70 years. Grace will be sadly missed by her: daughter Elaine and Rick Mallett; son Roy and Laurie Manners; five grandchildren: Jeremy and Kerri Ellis, David Ellis, Sara Manners, Tom Manners, Theresa Manners as well as numerous other relatives. The funeral service was conducted from the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Friday, August 13, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Lyle Berg officiating. The eulogy was read by Marge Nattress. The hymns sung were “Morning Has Broken”, “Amazing Grace” and “I Stand Amazed”. The honorary pallbearers were Grace’s Friends & Neighbours. The active pallbearers were Grace’s grandchildren: Jeremy Ellis, Kerri Ellis, David Ellis, Sara Manners, Thomas Manners and Theresa Manners. Interment took place in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY Eulogy for Grace Manners, given by Marge Nattress at Grace’s Memorial Service, Friday, August 13, 2010. It is an honor to be asked to participate in Grace’s tribute. This was prepared by the family and me. GRACE ELAINE DEFFEY was born October 25, 1939 at Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, the oldest of five children. She lived on the farm in Sandy Ridge, just south of Makwa, with her parents Ada and Joe Deffey, and her sister Peggy, brother Bill, sister Vera and brother Brian. Her sister Peggy and Ted Bull now live in St. Walburg, Bill and Joan Deffey are in Edmonton, Vera Richards lives with their mother, Ada Deffey in Loon Lake, and Brian Deffey and Marilyn live in Evansburg. Grace attended school in Sandy Ridge, about half a mile from their home, until grade 7. For Grade 8, Grace moved to Lloydminster and lived with Grandma and Grandpa Mark to attend school. Following school, Grace worked at the Elite Cafe in Lloydminster, and then helped families in the Southminster community, working for Percy and Kate Manners and for Fran and Cliff Ranger. On November 21, 1959, Grace married Headley Thomas Manners at Grace United Church in Lloydminster and moved to the farmstead on the Old Sweet Place, south of Lloydminster, where the home is still located. Headley and Bob and their Dad moved the teacherage from Wirral School District, south of Marshall to be their first home. The men ran cement for the foundation. There was a trap door, which led to the cellar, where all the preserves were stored. Elaine remembers never being allowed to go down more than 3 steps into the cellar! While living in the teacherage, their daughter Elaine was born in 1960, and son Roy arrived in 1963. In the fall of 1964 Grace and Headley built their new house at the same location. Over their 49 years of marriage Headley and Grace purchased land in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Their home community was Southminster, where Headley had gone to school, and where Grace was always involved in community activities. Grace was President of the Southminster Community Society for many years, and was instrumental in planning for the successful Southminster Centennial celebration last Saturday and Sunday, August 7 & 8. Grace was also an active member of Court Border Star Order of Forrester’s. Her team of Fran Foote, Kitty Halls and Gertie Sundberg won the Forrester’s Dominion Ladies Curling Championship. In the 1970’s Grace was District Women’s Director for the National Farmers Union. Over the years Grace grew huge gardens and became involved with the horticulture society as she traveled with her Mother and Father-in-law, Florence and Headley Manners to meetings and horticulture shows. She also showed her fine talent in sewing, canning, cooking and quilting at the Lloydminster Exhibition, and with her sister Peggy at the St. Walburg fair. Grace took many prizes and was always encouraging family and friends to take part. Leisure activities included cribbage games with family, with the Southminster community crib tourneys, which she helped organize at the Southminster School and at community member’s homes. Grace also traveled with Headley and with her mother, Ada, to Frenchman’s Butte, Paradise Hill and Hillmond for card parties. Grace was a member of the Lloydminster photography club, and especially enjoyed taking pictures of nature. She belonged to the quilt making group, “Wrapped in Love” and assisted in sewing quilts, and baby blankets with the group. Two weeks ago she had Elaine bring a bag of about 15 preemie quilts to Marilyn Thorpe, to pass along. Grace and Headley belonged to the Border Bowl leagues, and bowled in the Tuesday Competitive League for many years. They each promoted the others’ successes in all the league bowling and tournaments. One of the final highlights of Grace’s life was the “Mark” family reunion, which was held the first of July weekend each year. This year, the 21st reunion took place at the Manners Farm. Grace was in her element. For 21 years she was involved with Garnet and Marilyn Mark and many families in arranging Horse Shoe Tournaments and Golfing and of course, good food and lots of visiting. Garnet made Grace a gavel, so she could always maintain order. She was the judge and her word was final. Grace had a full and active life, and was always involved with kids: her little brothers and sisters, her own kids, Elaine and Roy, and their cousins who visited each summer. Then there were the grandchildren Jeremy and David, and soon along came grandchildren Sara, Tom and Theresa. Here are memories from the grandchildren: Jeremy will always miss early morning coffee with Grandma. Dave will never forget how Grandma always knew when he was up to no good and how she could straighten him up in a hurry. Kerri will always remember Grandma’s input and advice for her first garden. Sara will always remember Grandma teaching her to sew and her homemade pancake breakfasts. Tom will never forget Grandma’s awesome mashed potatoes and meals in the field. Theresa’s fondest memories are being at Grandma’s and having rubber band wars. She was the best shot and would get you every time. Grace was good with kids, good with animals; she was a great gardener and a good cook. She was a great relative, friend and neighbor and we will remember her suggestions, her actions and her help, we will miss her presence. Grace was so refreshing – she held strong opinions and expressed them too! She’s shake her finger and say, “You better believe it!” She was a naturally coordinated golfer. One Monday night she shot two shots and was nearly at the end of #17, the long hole near the graveyard. She made and called so many wonderful curling shots – she was really AMAZING GRACE. She was human too. Did you ever see Grace served a cup of tea with water that wasn’t boiling? (NOT GOOD!) She was a beautiful “Ukrainian” seamstress. She did a wonderful jacket, and the pattern and instructions were all in Ukrainian! In her illness she was so appreciative of the care given to her by the hospital staff and she was so brave – never mentioning her condition and so interested in all her visitors. Her hospital room was filled with pictures, artwork, sunflowers, garden flowers and angels. I know Grace would have liked this little poem by some unknown author: “Garden angels come at dawn -bless the flowers – then they’re gone” Grace was a great person to know. CARD OF THANKS We would like to thank Dr. Govender, nurses and hospital staff for the extra special care and attention given to Grace while she was in the hospital. She counted many of you as friends. Special thanks to Pastor Lyle and Laura, the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship Church, the church musicians and the volunteers who provided the delicious luncheon after the service. Thank-you Marge for giving the eulogy and Penny for doing the flowers. For the cards, flowers, donations, food and phone calls – thanks everyone. Elaine & Rick Jeremy & Kerri Dave Roy & Laurie Sara, Tom & Theresa Donations in memory of Grace may be made to the charity of the donors choice.