GRACE ELIZABETH MOREY McKENZIE

1923 - 2021

McKENZIE, GRACE ELIZABETH MOREY Peacefully on May 13, 2021 in her 98th year and surrounded by family, Grace died of natural causes, while listening to Strauss waltzes. A charismatic, red-haired rebel and trail-blazer; year-round cyclist, mother of three, environmental enthusiast, journalist, painter and social justice activist, Grace was born in New York City on October 12, 1923 to Elizabeth King Morey and Lee Bogart Morey. Elder sister of Mary Lee and Alison, she attended the Lincoln and Brearley Schools and showed talent as a pianist. In 1935 her family rented a cottage at Go Home Bay, Ontario; here she made lifelong friends, rowed and swam daily and happily painted landscapes; later, on she would row AY Jackson out to nearby islands to paint. She completed her BA near Boston, where she rowed in the Wellesley crew, sang in the choir and was known for her laugh and spirit. While at Wellesley, with the US entering WWII, she had a summer job at the War Production Board in Washington, DC, which she often said was her most interesting job. She graduated in 1945, but with servicemen returning there were no jobs for women. Grace worked in London, England in 1948, living at the YWCA, and wrote for the Daily Mail. Returning to Canada she pursued a graduate degree in economics and political science at the University of Toronto where she was the only woman in a class of 150. It was at U of T that she met J. Douglas McKenzie, another first-born and free-spirited intellectual; they married in New York in December 1950. Son Douglas arrived in December 1951 followed by daughters Rebecca in 1953 and Alison in 1955. Once her youngest was in school, Grace went to work full time: first as a portfolio manager in financial services at Bache and Co. then at Mills Spence. Grace landed a job as a journalist at the Globe & Mail's Report on Business, and after her divorce, worked in Ottawa as a speechwriter for the Federal Government. She held several successful art shows in Toronto, Ottawa and Nantucket, most recently in 2006 at Toronto's Todmorden Mills Gallery. She was a member of the Don Valley Art Club. Grace moved to Norwood Nursing Home in 2002. There a new chapter in her life began, where she found new friendships. It takes skilled, compassionate people to care for our elders. Mum was really fortunate. Sending a special thank you to all at Norwood Nursing Home, who made Grace's last 19 years safe and stimulating: Mary Louise Sebald, Gabi Gustaijis; Zorica Mandic; Elizabeth, Evadgny; Judy, Katie, MD Dr. Barry Shrott; Yolanda, Chantal; Fe; Alexandra; Reji; Jon; Laleh; Christina; Maureen; Adam, Kaitlin, Erica, Cecilia, Tenzing L., Tenzin C., Tenzin P., Beata; Harpreet, Shafeena; Jody; Steve, Donald, Sarah, Kapia, Claribel, Eduarda; Daniel, Zeneyda; Tony, Jennifer, Hazel; Erlinda, Maria, Ruth, Assefa, Donneth, Daphrose, Eva, Brenda, Diane, Gevenieve, Ayantus, Nanray; Martha, Ivana, Gerardo and Sara. Predeceased by her two younger sisters, she is survived by her children Doug (Deb), Rebecca and Alison (Tam); her grandchildren Grace (Jeff), Mavis and Billy; and great-grandchildren Winona Lee and Waverly June, nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her straight-talking, her gorilla faces and hysterical laughter, her discipline in daily exercises, her encouragement, rebelliousness, graciousness and disregard for uptight manners. Her love of purple, whole foods and always sticking up for the underdog. As per Grace's wishes, cremation has taken place and her ashes will be scattered in a celebration of her life at a special Go Home Bay island when it is safe for us all to gather. To honour her memory, please buy from emerging artists and use your voice to support social justice.