Grace Eleanor Wood (née Beamish)

Grace Eleanor Wood (née Beamish) born in Palmerston, Ontario, May 8, 1928, succumbed to her struggles with Alzheimer’s on November 22, 2014. Cherished widow of Hugh McDonald Wood (deceased June 28, 2008), Grace is survived by her three beloved sons:  Scot (Maggie), Craig (Maureen) and Andrew (Anne), and will be tenderly remembered by her five adoring grandchildren:  Gabrielle (David), Chad (Teresa), Shannon, Melanie, and Chelsea. She will also be terribly missed by her precious great-grandchild, Ty, who had the great good fortune to share Grace’s birthday and to share in her fondness for bear hugs. Grace also shared many warm memories of her father, Esmond Beamish, her step-mother, Mary Beamish (née Patterson), and of her five siblings:  Elizabeth Taylor, Dorothea (Dot) Zochodne (deceased), Vera Gower, Catherine Lord, and William Beamish. Her one great regret was not having had the opportunity to know her mother, Eva Beamish (née Spice), who died when she was a young child. But, even with the early death of her mother, family still always centred Grace. A loving mother herself to her three rambunctious sons and a devoted wife to her gregarious husband, she earned her nickname “Amazing Grace.” A cheerleader since high school, she used her enthusiasm and kindness to make lifelong friends and to endear herself to all she met. Grace enjoyed the camaraderie and the engaging events of the Women’s Canadian Club, in which she was involved for many years. Other adventures in her life included travelling nationally and internationally with her husband and their curling club; boisterous annual trips to the Queen’s Plate horse race; and merry family excursions to Balsam Lake. Her loss will be felt not only by her family but by all those whose lives she touched. Special thanks to Anita Stenning, who has provided friendship, support, and loving nursing care. Also thank you to the extraordinary staff of McCormick Home (Maple Grove). There will be a visitation at the WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the McCormick Home Alzheimer Outreach Services, 2022 Kains Rd., London, ON N6K 0A8, would be greatly appreciated.