Grace Dawson (Shanks) Pirie

Pirie, Grace Dawson – Passed away peacefully at the Woodstock Hospital Tuesday January 10, 2023. Grace Pirie (nee Shanks) of Woodstock in her 86th year. Born in her family home in Romney Township on March 13th, 1937 to Archibald and Eva Shanks. Beloved wife of Ross Alexander Pirie for 63 years. Loved mother of Laurie Pirie, Jim (Lisa) Pirie, and Heather (Duncan) Hill. Cherished grandmother of Emily (Peter) Vo, Thomas Elliott, Tanner Pirie, Cole Pirie, Chloe Hill and Ava Hill. Dear sister of Mary Jane (Reg) Farquharson. Also survived by sister-in-law Elaine Shanks, many nieces, nephews, and friends. Predeceased by her brother Bob Shanks, Bill (Audrey) Shanks, special aunties Jessie and Edith Shanks, and her parents Arch and Eva Shanks. Grace led a full and incredible life as a loving wife to Ross, and a fully devoted mom to Laurie, Jim and Heather. Her great passion was playing the piano. Piano lessons started at age 6, with the piano as the centre piece of great family gatherings over the years. Accompanying her brother Bob, or other singers at church, serving a key role in children’s ministry and volunteering her time to play for children’s musicals were some of her fondest memories. Teaching talents were always evident in her love for children, her keen eye for decorating and her love of board games. Later in life she started writing music, recorded a CD, and performed. Grace will always be remembered by her selfless love, kindness and genuine interest in all those she touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday February 18th, 2023 at Life Church, 547 Athlone Avenue, Woodstock. Visitation will be from 1pm until 2pm, with the service and reception to follow until 4:30pm. The Pirie family would love to receive family and friends in the atrium of Life Church following the celebration to honour Grace’s life where stories and memories can be shared. Internment will take place later at the Shanks Cemetery in Port Alma. If desired, memorial contributions to K2K Productions or Operation Christmas Child – Samaritan’s Purse Canada would be appreciated. Expressions of sympathy may be given at Brock and Visser Funeral Home (www.brockandvisser.com).  A special thank you to Dr. Binh Vu and all the wonderful nurses and staff at Woodstock General Hospital for all their kind and loving care.

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