Grace Elizabeth Hayes

With appreciation for a life well lived, it is with great sadness that the family of Grace Elizabeth Hayes of Halifax announces her passing at age 94. Grace was born on May 13, 1923 to Bill and Mimie (Hiscock) Hayes in Halifax. She passed away on February 12, 2018 at the Halifax Infirmary.

Grace worked at the Halifax Dockyard starting in 1941 as a typist and then moved to the teletype room. She transferred to the Weather Office as a communicator in 1947, retiring from the federal government in 1978 after 37 years. She received the Centennial Medal for valuable service to Canada in 1967.

Grace was a devoted member of St. Philip’s Church (now Anglican Church of the Apostles) and served as treasurer of the altar guild for many years. She was an avid bowler as a member of the Early Risers league, continuing in the sport until she was 90.

Grace enjoyed reading, playing cards and bingo, as well as working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles.

She was a blood donor, making 75 donations in her lifetime.

Grace enjoyed travelling, taking trips to Europe and across Canada, often with her cousin Edith Hamlin and her best friend Eleanor Walker.

Grace also spent a lot of time working on her crafts – plastic canvas ornaments and other decorations, and cross-stitch. She was especially proud of a cross-stitch portrait of a tiger that she made.

We will remember Grace’s generosity and great sense of humour – she loved to tell jokes – and her love for her three poodles. We will also remember the many sweaters she knit for us and herself, and the hundreds of teddy bears she knitted for patients at the IWK Children’s Hospital.

Grace was predeceased by her parents; sister, Vera Burbridge (Douglas) and brother, Richard "Dick" Hayes (Rosalind). She is survived by niece, Judy Mallett (Ken); nephews, Gil Hayes (Leanne) and Kim Hayes (Sandy); great nieces, Carol Dunn (Ron), Adele Gobble (Jonathan), Rhiannon; great nephews, Justin, Jeremy and Jared; great great nieces, Katelyn, Victoria and Jessie; great great nephew, Zachary.

After her sister passed away, Grace raised her niece Judy from the age 15, becoming a second mother to her and a grandmother to Judy’s daughters, Carol and Adele.

Visitation will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, February 16. A funeral service will be held at the Church of the Apostles, 6670 Bayers Road, Halifax, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17. Private burial service at Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Anglican Church of the Apostles or a charity of choice.