Grace Urie Fish

Grace Urie Fish entered the world on a quiet, snowy night in Maybole, Scotland, on February 4, 1940. The seventh of eight children, born to two wonderful parents John Urie and Mary McIntyre Davidson Urie. She grew up surrounded by the magic of the Scottish countryside. She had an enchanting childhood and spent berry picking, wandering through wooded paths, and taking highland dancing lessons. She was extremely close with her siblings growing up, most of her childhood was spent with her brothers, Willie and Alan, and her sisters, Joyce and Jessie.
At fifteen, Grace began working at Marks & Spencer to help support her family, demonstrating the responsibility and dedication that would define her life. After two and a half years, she moved on to working at Prestwick Airforce Base, where she worked in the Headquarters office for the Base Commander as one of his secretaries.
It was there, in July of 1959, Grace met a young American officer who would forever change her life - First Lt. Colonel Boyce J. Fish. Boyce was immediately captivated by her warmth, beauty, and charm. Their romance bloomed quickly, and by December he formally asked for her hand in marriage. Grace happily accepted.
On her twentieth birthday, Grace married Boyce in a small church in Scotland. Their honeymoon was an unforgettable European adventure-beginning in London, and then crossing by ferry into Calais, France and continuing through Paris, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and finally Italy. At the end of their honeymoon, they journeyed to Adana, Turkey, where Boyce was stationed for several years and where they began their life together. During their time in Turkey, Grace was baptized and became a devoted member of the LDS Church.
When Boyce was reassigned back to the states, the couple moved to Charleston, South Carolina, before eventually settling in his hometown of Mesa, Arizona-a place that would become the center of their family's story.
In Mesa, Boyce and Grace built not just their house, but the heartbeat of their growing family-a warm haven that welcomed not only their four children, Linden, Stephanie, Fiona, and Christian, but also with countless friends and loved ones. Grace filled her home with patience, kindness and laughter. Later in life, their long-held dream of having six children came true when they lovingly took guardianship of their granddaughters, Chelsea and Hayley Stewart.
Grace was a devoted member of the LDS Church, living a life grounded in service, compassion, and unwavering faith. She believed in the importance of family and naturally stepped into the role of a strong matriarch. Her greatest joys came from raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her strong belief in the importance of family became the hallmark of her life. Throughout her life, she traveled back to Scotland several times, and kept her family connected, even from across an ocean. This dedication to family only further proved her devotion to everyone she loved.
Grace is survived by her children: Linden Fish, Stephanie Fish Ashcroft and Christian Fish. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Brock Mathews, Brynn Fish, Macy Fish Russell, Remy Fish, Jeremy Ashcroft, Heather Ashcroft, Natalie Ashcroft Eady, Chelsea Stewart, Hayley Stewart, Lyndsey Sanford-Routh, and Tanner Fish, along with eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Boyce J Fish (1932-2021), her daughter Fiona Fish Stewart (1972-2005) and her grandson Kyle Mathews (1988–2005).
Her family will celebrate her life on November 22nd at 10 a.m. at the LDS Church Building located at 848 N Westwood, Mesa, AZ 85201. Her burial will be held November 23rd at 12 p.m. at the Lakeside Cemetery located at 1265 Larson Rd, Lakeside, AZ 85929.
Arrangements by Bunker's Garden Chapel, . Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.