Grace Eileen Vuori

Grace Eileen Vuori (nee Mohr) passed away peacefully in her sleep at The Glebe Centre on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 in her 100th year. Grace was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, Henry (Hank) Fredrik Vuori, her dear son-in-law Thomas Graham Stone (Janet), and brother-in-law John Elmer Green (Betty). Grace is survived by her daughters Elizabeth (Rolf Wichman) and Janet. She leaves behind four grandsons whom she adored: Christian Wichman (Nataly Kim), Eric Wichman (Caitlin Harrigan), Michael Stone (Alice Luo) and James Stone, as well as four dear great grandchildren: Emma (Stone Luo), Ellie (Wichman), Stellan (Wichman) and William (Wichman).  She also leaves behind her dear sister Betty (Green) as well as Betty’s children Carol, Gayle, Nancy and Geof and their families.

 Grace was born in Ottawa on May 17th, 1924 the eldest child of Clifford Bruce Mohr and Laura Pearle Mohr (nee Poole). She grew up and attended school in Quyon, Quebec until the family moved back to Ottawa where she attended Ottawa Ladies’ College for her high school years. In 1945 Grace earned a B.A. from Queen’s University. This was followed by a postgraduate degree in Library Science from the University of Toronto. Grace worked at the Ottawa Public Library in the audio visual department until her marriage in September, 1949 to Hank whom she had met at Queen’s. The couple moved to Sudbury, Ontario where they raised their two daughters until being transferred to West Vancouver and later on to Oakville. Hank’s work as an exploration geologist took him away from home for months at a time but Grace quietly and efficiently managed everything on her own. Indeed, news of the birth of their first child was relayed to Hank by short wave radio as he was working in the arctic. With her characteristic quiet determination, Grace made it clear that Hank had to be present for the birth of their next child! 

 Wherever the family lived, Grace found something to do to help others. She served on the board of the YWCA in Sudbury, volunteered with West Vancouver’s St. David’s United Church Women and was a “mobile librarian” at the Lion’s Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. In Oakville she volunteered for many years at the May Court Club’s Nearly New Shop and also read to the blind.

 Both Grace and Hank were devoted to family and they were also blessed with deep and lasting friendships that supported them throughout the years. When not working to fix up the old family home in Quyon, they enjoyed many adventures with friends whether it be by taking Elderhostel courses, riverboat cruises or trips abroad.

 Grace was an avid reader and passed on her love of reading to her children. She also enjoyed all sorts of games - bridge with the ladies, and board games with the family. She was an ace at Scrabble and Rummicub. 

 All who knew Grace will lovingly remember her beautiful smile and the special twinkle in her eye. Ever patient, kind, thoughtful, good humoured and generous, Grace truly lived up to her name. 

 The family will be forever grateful for the loving care provided by Alice, Helen, Crista, Imelda (Ottawa), Alexandra (Oakville) and the nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers at The Glebe Centre.

 Visitation will be held at Tubman Funeral Homes, Westboro Chapel, 403 Richmond Road on Saturday February 10th, 2024 from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 2 p.m. and reception at 3 p.m. There will be a spring burial at the Mohr Cemetery, Quyon, Quebec on a date to be determined.

 For those who wish, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Glebe Centre, Ottawa (https://glebecentre.ca/fundraising/ways-to-give/), the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County (https://dementiahelp.ca/ways-to-give/ways-to-donate/donate-today/), or to a charity of your choice.