Our mom, Grace Marie Fahrer (nee Engel) just shy of her 84th birthday, finally got a moment to herself on Saturday, February 13, 2021, on her granddaughter’s birthday.  It is fitting that she would share this day, as she was always uncomfortable with the spotlight on herself.

Mom loved her kids (who wouldn’t...we are delightful) and her husband Don, dearly, who were married 64 years and together about 68.  She was affectionate to him until she died.  Believe us when we tell you that we’ve heard the stories.  Mom could make a meal out of a head of lettuce and a pound of hamburger.  Mom worked at Union Carbide before she married dad and also in retail positions at Adel’s, Beamishes’, and Louis Men’s Wear. Mom and Dad and their army of child labourers cleaned the Hanover Raceway on Saturday nights for a number of years. Mom had seven of her own kids but also babysat a tsunami of other peoples’ children while they were at work. Besides reflecting on past memories, she enjoyed visiting friends and family and making the rounds on Sunday afternoons with Dad.  She also loved sitting on the front porch on 11^th Avenue with a beer doing a crossword and watching the cars go by. She was creative when administering spankings (well deserved) by using whatever she could grab as we were running by. And knit!   She was always knitting sweaters or layettes for the next grandchild. She decorated and baked many wedding cakes.  We wrapped those slices of cake in plastic wrap and doilies for hours!! She was an avid bowler, bowling in a ladies league and then together with Dad in the Thursday Night Mixed League for over 30 years with Ken & Theresa and Bill & Gail.  Mom would say that her and Gail often laid a beating on Dad & Bill at Euchre games but we think it was rare. Mom enjoyed the simple pleasures, barefoot in her garden, a good stiff one, and a rye!

Grace is survived by her loving dance partner and husband Don. Survived by her children Patti (Pete) Hawkins, Jan (Barry) Wallace, Bill (Paula) Fahrer, Nan (Mike) Paola, Sheryl (Greg) McFadden, and Tom (Lisa) Fahrer.  Also survived by 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and her sister Bonnie Ruston. She was predeceased by their son Jamie, her parents, Elsie & Art Engel, and a son-in law, Ken Keip.

We will have a celebration of life at “Happy Hour” at a future date when it is safe to do so due to Covid19 restrictions.

Memorial donations can be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Alzheimer Society, or a charity of ones choice as an expression of sympathy.