Grace Trist
Nov. 26, 1922 – Dec. 9, 2016
Celebration of Life
Thursday, December 15, 2016 11:00 a.m.
Full Gospel Church
Pastor Velma Henderson officiating.
In loving memory of Grace (Henderson) Trist. Grace passed away peacefully in the Dryden Regional Health Centre on Friday, December 9, with family by her side.
Grace is survived by her sons, Garnet (Henriette), Ron (Arlene), daughter Earla (Ron); grandchildren: Louie (Jan), Jacqui (Dave), Mac (Tanis), Dan (Kerry), great-grandchildren: Martianna, Katie-Marie, William, Ben, Kaeghan, Moriya and Tristan, brother-in-law George and sister-in-law Joyce and many nieces and nephews. Grace loved them all.
Grace was predeceased by her husband Bill (1993), daughter-in-law Nancy, her parents Thomas and Agnes, parents-in-law, Richard and Maggie, her stepfather, Wm. Jones, brothers and their spouses, Tom (Lillian), Jack (Elsie) and Bill (Grace), sister and her spouse Chrissie (Ray) Nicoll, brothers-in-law and their spouses Frank Trist, Rich (Edith) Trist, Barney (Dodie) Trist, Art (Elaine) Trist, Bob (Marge) Trist, Brian Closen and Jess Schmidt, George Skomoroh, sisters-in-law and their spouses Elizabeth (Roy) Zillmann, Margaret (Ned) Carrol, Fern (Art) Giese, Deanna Trist, stepfamily Gwen (Jim) Davidson, Barbara (Wilfred) Hampe, and Evan (Julie) Jones.
Grace was born in Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. In the 30’s the family relocated to a homestead in Britton Township, Ontario. Grace attended the Britton School. After the death of her father, she went to stay with family in Whitewood Saskatchewan for a few years. When she returned to the area, she worked at Cliff Lake Lodge, the Central Hotel and also for Dr. & Mrs. Dingwall. On the coldest day of the year, Feb. 24, 1943, Grace married Bill Trist. They lived in the Dryden area and settled on their farm in 1950 where Grace remained until she went into the hospital in October.
Grace was secretary of the Dryden Fair for many years until Bill retired and for many years after that she continued to be a big part of the fair, the last one being the 2016 fair. Always helping in the office and just enjoying the people and everything about the fair. She was always adamant that no exhibitor should ever be turned away because they couldn’t make a deadline. Accommodate with a smile was her motto.
Grace was homemaker extraordinaire. Nothing was more important to Grace than her family and her faith. Many family members stayed with Grace & Bill, and she took care of them all. She loved to garden, preserve, cook and bake plus all the other things that homemaking includes. As Kaeghan stated “Great was the most loving and caring person in the world.” Grace liked the simple things, like the wildflowers Bill often picked for her. Other times, they were too pretty in their natural setting to be picked so they would walk hand in hand back to the pasture or wherever he found them, just to admire them. Of course the kids learned from Dad so also brought many wildflower bouquets.
Grace loved to look after her grandchildren. Often taking them to the lake swimming and off camping close to wherever Bill worked so they could all be together having fun. And then came the great grandchildren and she started over, spending as much time as possible with them. Grace always told parents “You cannot spoil a child with love.” She certainly lived this bit of wisdom as her children, and grandchildren as well as any children she had an opportunity to be with were the recipients of unconditional love.
Grace also loved to travel, as a family and sometimes just her and Bill. Many times Bill would call her and say if you can be ready in ten or fifteen minutes, I can pick you up. It didn’t matter whether it was a float trip to the city or miles back in the bush, Grace was ready. She said it is important to her to go with Bill, her chores would still be waiting when she returned. Her family of five, and Gran & Grampa Jones travelled to Nashville in 1958. How many in this day would consider putting seven in a car plus all the camping gear and heading off to the Grand Ole Opry, and then taking a shortcut home, via Saskatchewan to a wedding. They also travelled to Saskatchewan and B.C. several times. Since Bill passed, she travelled with her children and grandchildren. Recent highlights, a trip to Elk Point, AB to visit with Nancy’s family, a trip to Edson Alberta to meet her Uncle Bob’s grandchildren and his daughter-in-law Irene Davidson. They had corresponded for many, many, years but never met. She also went with Louie & Jan on a bus trip with the Fugitives to Danceland (the home of the World Famous dance floor built on horsehair) in Watrous Saskatchewan. and then with Country Blend to the Maritimes. She also travelled to Calgary, Kentucky, Chicago, Niagara Falls, Dakota Badlands, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with children/grandchildren. On one trip to Kentucky she even attended a truck show in Louisville, which to her was special as Bill loved trucking as did her sons and grandsons. In 2012 Grace had an opportunity to visit the White Otter Castle. By car to Brown’s Clearwater Lake Lodge, then about an hour by boat and across a short rugged portage and they soon arrived at the Castle, where with a little help she made it to the top lookout tower.
Grace had a very full 94 years and enjoyed them all, but on Friday morning Earla asked if she thought Dad (Bill) was drawing footprints in the sand, she smiled and nodded yes, and shortly after she was gone.
Don’t weep, remember with fondness this very special lady, and share your love unconditionally, as she did, with your family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations to the Full Gospel Church – True North Christian Academy or the Dryden & District Agricultural Society may be made through the Stevens Funeral Homes “Moffat Chapel,” P.O. Box 412, Dryden, ON, P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca