Obituary of Grace Cole

COLE, Grace- Passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Shaver Hospital, at the age of 80. Beloved wife of Bill for nearly 54 years. Loving Mom to Colleen (John Sinopoli), Michael (Linda), Catherine and Matthew (Angela). Proud Grandma to Joshua, Patrick, Riley, Delaney and to Furballs, Liam, Molly, The Blackies, Skipper, Snickers, Ashes, Mr. Chang, Nikki and Lexi. Grace was a lifelong volunteer beginning with her involvement in the Catholic Women’s League. She joined the CWL over 50 years ago in Vancouver, British Columbia, and for the last eighteen years has been an active member of the CWL at Holy Rosary in Thorold, Ontario. In 1987, Grace joined the Rotary Club of Agincourt, and later, when she and Bill moved to Thorold, Grace decided to join the Inner Wheel with Rotary. Work with the club included raising funds for local charities. She was most proud of the contribution the group made to the new Saint Catharines Hospital. In recognition of the work that Grace has done over the years, she recently received a Paul Harris Fellow from the St. Catharines Rotary Club. In addition to the work with the CWL and Rotary, she played a major role with the Canadian Diabetes Association Seniors Support Group. She was also involved in the local chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association. Grace’s true passion in life was creating love from yarn. From the age of 7, she has been knitting and crocheting for preemies, babies, hospitals, the homeless, and the elderly. Hamilton General Hospital has recognized her on two occasions for her contributions to their preemie program. And there are few people who knew her that weren’t recipients of a handmade scarf, afghan or hat. Grace was committed to using her skills to spread warmth and comfort both to those she knew and those she never would. Grace's family will receive friends at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton St., on Tuesday, April 7 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Vigil prayers will be recited in the funeral home at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Church, 21 Queen St. S, Thorold, on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow the service. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be given to Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Celiac Association or to the Walker Family Cancer Centre