Aunt Grace Passes Away

 My 92-year-old Aunt Grace passed away.

This is what her son, my cousin, Evan, wrote about her on Facebook:

A giant has fallen. Well, not a giant, exactly, since she was only a smidge above 5 feet. But her heart was a giant's. For 92 years she loved and served people all around her, some of whom she reared, and most of the others she outlived. Born in Philly, wife of one, mother of five, possessed of an indomitable spirit. We will miss her, but are glad she can see again, walk again, and talk up a storm again. Full obituary:

Grace Gabrielsen

1930 ~ 2022

 

Grace Elizabeth Millard Gabrielsen, age 92, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2022.   Born at home in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to Ruth Margaret and John Warren Millard, she graduated from Upper Darby High School, and attended BYU, Utah State and Weber State, graduating as a Registered Nurse. She worked at McKay-Dee Hospital, Weber County Mental Health Services, St. Benedict’s/Ogden Regional Hospital, and Mt. Ogden Convalescent Center, and felt like she really became the nurse she wanted to be when working in the oncology unit.

 

Grace married Alvin Gabrielsen, Senior, and is the proud mother of five. She is survived by children, Christie (Martin) Yurth, Al (Karleen) Gabrielsen, Carol Andrews, Evan (Terisa) Gabrielsen, and Ellen King; 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; and her sister, Joanne Sorrell of Pennsylvania. Preceded in death by husband, Al; son-in-law, Wade King; granddaughter, Emily King; parents; siblings and many, many lifetime friends she will be happy to see on the other side.

 

Grace was a loving friend and caregiver. She has volunteered at the Ogden Rescue Mission free clinic, Red Cross disaster health services (twice traveling to flood areas to provide services), Ogden City Schools as a teacher's aide, and Your Community Connection, where she taught ESL. She also volunteered at the McKay-Dee Hospital for many years. She was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving in many capacities up into her 89th year; she especially loved teaching children.

 

She was an interesting mix of very proper (“What if you get invited to a White House dinner?”) and down-to-earth (“If it comes out of the human body, it’s been in my watch.”) She once said, “My life, as I look back, is a surprise to me. I exceeded my own expectations. I did things I would never have guessed I could do: raising five kids, finishing college, staying healthy to an old age, being married over 60 years, skiing, swimming, bicycling, hiking, fishing, camping, playing golf, square dancing, things nobody in my family ever did when I was growing up.”  She enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing and visits with friends and family.

 

The family is grateful for the loving care given our mother by staff at Hidden Valley Care Center, and Rocky Mountain Hospice Services.

 

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Logan City Cemetery. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Ward, 5735 South Crestwood Drive, Ogden, Utah.

Ken and I attended the graveside service in Logan, Utah on Saturday, September 10th.

It was a lovely time to visit with family members.  My dad had three siblings (that survived into adulthood.)  Each of the four of them had five children, so there are 20 cousins.  Of the 20, 15 of us were in attendance.  All of us from my family were there with our spouses, From Grace's family, all were there except her youngest, Ellen from Philadelphia.  From Ron's family, Diane was not there (lives in Missouri), and Todd (lives in southern Utah.)  From Nedra's family, Bryce was not there (lives in Indiana,) and Scott was not there.  He is running for Lieutenant governor of Idaho and on a very stringent campaign schedule (I hope he wins.)  So that is a pretty great turnout.  It was so wonderful to see my siblings and cousins and spouses.  Following are some random shots of people as they visited.

Laurie (Joe's wife and one of my favorite people) visiting with Al.

My cousin Eric Bedke visiting with Ken.

Roger visiting with Joe.

Ken and David

Joan, Marcie (Eric's wife) and their daughter

I have two Gabrielsen aunts left- both in their 90s- shown here on the front row: Nedra and Gary and my cousin, Randee.

The program was short and so very good.  All of Grace and Alvin's children are extremely intelligent and very fine speakers.  Each of them told a story about their mom.  It was entertaining and really captured Aunt Grace and her fun personality.

Evan

As I sat there, I looked down and saw I was right by my grandparents' graves.

Christie with Evan helping her hold her notes

Al or Skip as everyone in the family calls him told such a great story.  He is a pediatrician and Grace was a nurse.  He told about a time they saved a life together at the hospital.

Carol is my age and a Dr. in Pennsylvania.  She told such a cute story about a time she took a bite out of every ripening pear in the basement.

Evan told his story, then read Ellen's.  She participated on zoom.

Cousins of similar age:  Al, John, and Joe.  Three great guys right there.

Our family:  Ken, Kay, Patty, Hal, Cindy, John, Tom, Joan, Pam, and Roger- the oldest of us all hopped up on the chair to take the picture.  He's amazing.

The luncheon was delicious, provided by Aunt Grace.  It was her wish. An important Gabrielsen family tradition is Bluebird chocolates.  After the meal, Al and Karlene brought around Bluebird chocolates for everyone.  What a classy, sweet, poignant ending to a wonderful day.

It was a sweet reunion of loved ones.  I am blessed to belong to such a wonderful family. Rest in peace, Aunt Grace.