Marie Louise Gracia (Grace) Eckel (née Lefebvre), 1937-2021, passed away August 25, 2021, at Bethell Hospice in Caledon, Ontario, after a long battle with COPD and CHF. Mother of Leslie (Sandy van Solm), Lisa, Kim (Russ Clarke), and Ron (Laura Brady) and loving, doting grandmother to Sidney and William Saint, Sierra and Jessie Eckel-Foster, and Griffin and Joey Brady-Eckel. The first of three Lefebvre children of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, Grace was the daughter of Faida and Georgina (Baril) Lefebvre and is survived by her sister Vivian (Gary Norton) Burlington, Ontario, and pre-deceased by sister Therese (Elmer Neubeker) Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. Her early years were marked by poverty and hardship but through her characteristic tenacity, she rose above her early circumstances and attended college in Regina. A proud registered nurse by trade, she was a member of the Regina Grey Nuns Hospital School of Nursing class of ’59. Upon graduation, Grace embarked on her lifelong love of travel with a six-month trip through Europe with her sister Viv followed by stints in Banff and California where she worked and played before returning to Canada to marry Leonard Eckel (divorced, 1996) and starting her family. She was a loving mother and an amazing grandmother who will be missed by all who knew her, including the family dogs Sasha, Ruby, Tucker, Spirit, Ranch, and cats Lucy, Bubelah, Shannie, and Riley, all of whom gave Grace endless love, joy, and kisses. If desired, memorial donations made to Bethell Hospice would be appreciated.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Monday afternoon from 4 – 6 o’clock. Please click the link to register a time.
Funeral Mass will be held in Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 60 Allan Drive, Bolton on Tuesday, August 31 at 2 o’clock. Please click the link to register and choose Grace Eckel (Mass) where prompted in the “Service” dropdown box. The Funeral Mass is limited to 150 attendees including family members.
Followed by cremation.
Family and friends are invited to share their memories or make a donation online at https://bethellhospice.org/.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com.
Judy Strmec
Ron, Laura, Griffin and Joey, Sending deepest condolences on the passing of your mom. We had many nice chats across the lawn on her visits to your home. She was such a lovely lady. ❤️
Sending hugs from the Strmec’s
Susan Ross
Our deepest condolences to your family, Kim. Thinking of you all.
Christophe PIERRE
All my condolences to your family. Grace and my mother Brigitte (died 2017) were very close friends and we’ll keep good memories of her. Lot of prayers.
Jen
We’re very sorry to hear about your loss. Keeping you in our prayers.
Wayne & Jen
Patti and Len Foley
Sincere condolences Ron, Laura, Griffin and Joey.
Herb and Carrol Herauf
Leslie, Lisa, Kim, Ron and families: We were so sorry to hear of Grace’s passing. We have many wonderful memories of our times together in Saskatchewan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Dundas, ON. Unfortunately we have not seen her very often in recent years but we always looked forward to our annual Christmas correspondence.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you , May Grace rest in peace.
George & Carolyn Eckel
So sorry to hear of Aunt Grace’s passing. Please our most sincere condolences.
carol moffatt
Our thoughts and many prayers God Bless Ron & Laura and family God Speed Grace Love Carol and Brian
Patricia Broberg
We are very sorry to hear about Aunty Grace’s passing. She was very welcoming to us when ever we would visit. We particularly remember her generosity in having us on our return from Africa when Ron was only afew weeks old.
Our condolences to all of her family.
Pat, Kathy, Karon & Don Eckel