Obituary (Grace E. Wheaton)

Grace E. Wheaton
1923 - 2018

Grace E. Wheaton

Wheaton, Grace E. - Age 95, of Parrsboro, Halifax and West Wickham England, died peacefully Monday, July 9, 2018 at South Cumberland Community Care Center in Parrsboro, surrounded by her loving family and support staff. Grace was the eldest daughter of the late Reginald and Grace Adams (Hooper). Born in England, she spent her childhood with her 2 younger brothers and sister enjoying the seaside and celebrations with extended family. Grace graduated school with high honours and completed Business College starting her career as a civil servant of the British Government in the War Damage Claims Department. Her duties included everything from clerical to firefighting on the roof of the Government office and would routinely hear a “good morning” from Sir Winston Churchill. At one point she was sequestered to work the switchboards for four days and was on duty when Pearl Harbour was bombed. Life in a war torn country meant travelling daily by rail to London from West Wickham, reacting to air raid sirens, bombing runs, sleeping in bomb shelters and eating rationed food supplemented with home grown beets. Grace would meet her future husband Don Wheaton of Parrsboro (WWII Veteran 1939-45) at their favourite meeting place by the 3rd lion at Trafalgar Square. On an Autumn day months later she was married in a beautiful handmade lace wedding dress that had been blown out of a window just days before during a bombing run. Grace immigrated to Canada after the war crossing the Atlantic on a ship that caught fire half way across. She safely arrived with her young son and into the arms of her waiting husband. She entered Canada through Pier 21 in Halifax. After residing at Newville Lodge, they later moved to Halifax where Grace worked as a medical receptionist for Doctors Ian and Enid MacPhearson and formed a family friendship that continues today. Grace was widowed after 58 years and would reside with her youngest daughter, eventually moving back to Parrsboro. Grace enjoyed trips to Florida, the Log Cabin, gardening, dancing, swimming, playing bridge and Scrabble, evening drives with sunsets at Partridge Island, family pets and most of all, her children. Grace was a member of the ACW, YMCA, Parrsboro Golf Club, Parrsboro Historical Society, The Hall, Legion branches 25 and 45, NS War Brides Association and the Halfway River Women’s Institute. Grace is survived by son, Brian Wheaton (Ruth), Parrsboro; daughters, Sylvia Morosin, Ontario, Sandra Hendren (Garnet), Parrsboro; sister, Maureen Hart, England; grandchildren Justina, Mark, Nicholas, Eric, Paula, Jennifer, Craig and their children, great-grandchildren, Caleb, Brodie, Dixon, Aaden, Evie and many nieces and nephews overseas and in Canada. Grace was predeceased by her parents, Reginald and Grace Adams; husband, Don; son, Bruce; in-laws, Walter and Lottie Wheaton; brothers, Stan and Ron Adams; brother-in-law, Bill Wheaton; sisters-in-law, Marie Reid, Audrey, Irene and Jean Adams, and Irene Wheaton; son-in-law, Silvano Morosin and nieces and nephews Joan, Billy, Lester and Jeffery. A special thank you to the VON, Doctors, Nurses and support staff at the hospitals of Amherst, Springhill and Parrsboro for their professional and tender care over the last year. Funeral service 2 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at St George’s Anglican Church, Main Street, Parrsboro. Reception to follow at the church hall. Family Flowers only. Memorial donations can be made to the Adult Day Unit at South Cumberland Community Care Center, Ottawa House, The Hall or St. George’s Anglican Church.