Grace Christena Heatley

It is with great sadness that we announce Grace passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 17, 2024, aged 92. Born on January 6, 1932, to Irad and Jessie Morrison (Ross), Grace was raised in Portree, Cape Breton.

It was there, she met the love of her life, Rev. William (Bill) Heatley. Together, they shared a life of love, faith, and service. As a minister's wife, Grace called various places home, supporting Bill's pastoral charges in Gaspereau, Dartmouth and Hantsport. Grace graduated as a Certified Nursing Assistant from Sydney City Hospital. Her nursing career took her to Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital in Wolfville, Hants Community Hospital and the old Halifax Infirmary.

Grace enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Bishopville; it was a place to relax and enjoy the gardens. Her beloved companion dogs, Tippy and Sandy were constant friends. In her quiet moments, Grace's hands were rarely idle, as she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and solving word puzzles. In her later years, you could often find her at the rink cheering one of her grandsons’ minor hockey teams. She loved watching all her boys on the ice!

Grace cherished her family and was predeceased by her loving husband, Bill. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family; predeceased by her parents, Irad and Jessie; siblings, James, Ross, Irad, Carey, Annie (Shaw), Irene (Shaw), and Jessie (infancy). She will be deeply missed by her children: Derrick (Beryl) of MacLellans Brook, George (Toni) of Jacket Lake and Paul (Kim) of Lawrencetown; grandchildren: Jennifer, Lynn (Scott), David, Colin (Missa), Noah, Abby & Isaac; great-grandchildren: Alder and Emilia. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, particularly sharing a close, lifelong bond with niece Myrtle Shaw of New Glasgow.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Admiral Long Term Care Centre for the excellent care Grace received.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, Dartmouth, NS. A celebration of Grace's life will take place at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the South End Baptist Church, 60 Hastings Drive, Dartmouth NS with Rev. Mike Vlahos officiating. Internment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association or the Canadian Cancer Society in Grace's memory.

May she rest in peace.