Grace was much more than a “journey, not destination”—person. She was a passionate adventurer who actively sought connections with new people, places, ideas and experiences. Until her final breath, she continued to bring people together in her hospital room; people who began as strangers, but who were pulled along with her—becoming fellow adventurers.
Grace was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, and she expressed pride in every member of her family, while welcoming in-laws with open arms. After her parents and sisters moved away from Winnipeg when she was 20, she wrote letters, sent care packages, and found ways to keep her family connections strong.
She was a teacher, with a contagious passion for learning and literature which she never lost—even after she could no longer read independently. Several friends and family members satisfied her desire for the written word by reading to her over the years. This, together with the stalwart voices of the CBC radio hosts that filled her home, enabled her to continue learning and having new experiences long after her legs would not carry her.
While some travelers collect snow-globes, Grace collected people and stories. The local, hand-crafted items she brought home from her journeys with friends and family were remembrances of the artists and places that had made an impression on her. Very few people came into her orbit without receiving the offer of friendship: hairdressers, university students, home-care workers, bus drivers, siblings, children, refugees, co-workers … If you had a story, she wanted to hear it. (She would also want to know if you’d read any good books lately).
Those who got to know Grace recently knew her as someone living with MS who did not allow the disease to define her. She rarely, if ever, complained about limitations imposed upon her freedom. Rather, she continued to look for opportunities to pursue adventures…and if the disease couldn’t keep up? That would absolutely have been okay, too.
Grace was a feisty, passionate, curious woman of integrity. She loved sharing a joke or mischievous moment—whether it be gradually adding salt to her parents’ sugar bowl, or throwing pyrotechnic potatoes onto the highway from a speeding car.
Grace and her husband, Peter were a tremendous team for 50 years of marriage. We have been inspired by them to continue living all of our own lives with grace.
Grace Mariann Rosaline arrived in the loving arms of George and Nettie Groening on March 12, 1946 in Winkler, Manitoba. She was predeceased by infant sister Carla Gail in 1964, and was a loving sister to Joanna, Marlee, and Gwen.
Her education began in a small, one-room school in rural Manitoba, with her dad as teacher. Grace attended 3 different schools within the first year, following her family’s move to Winnipeg. She was an excellent student and there was never a doubt that she would continue on to post-secondary education. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1967 with her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and minoring in Philosophy, followed by a degree in Education in 1968. This helped to hone her skills in critical thinking and art of debate, skills she never lost.
It was during the final years of university that she met her life-long partner, Peter Engbrecht, through Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. They were married on June 1st, 1968. She then taught grades 5-7 for three-and-a-half years. They welcomed their sons Jonathan (1972) and Timothy (1973) and began their family life.
Grace was diagnosed with MS in 1972. She remained an involved mother and homemaker, with many creative hobbies and a busy social life. She was also an active member of the community, taking on evening work welcoming newcomers to Winnipeg with Welcome Wagon as well as branching out to take an accounting course at Red River CC. Grace loved to read, and worked for 9 years at Hull’s Family Bookstore.
Grace was actively involved with her boys throughout the years, with church activities, gardening, and extensive traveling with family and friends …whatever her body allowed her to do.
While Grace was not defined by MS, she inspired people to support MS research. The Intrepid Walkers team has been one of the Top 10 MS Walk fundraisers.
She welcomed two daughters-in-law, Catherine (Jonathan) and Esther (Timothy), together with two grandchildren, Shael and Ivy (Tim and Esther).
Without complaining, Grace took what was handed to her until her final breath on Monday night, when she silently passed into eternity.
Memorial service will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, January 26th, at Fort Garry MB Church, 1771 Pembina Highway.
Donations may be made to MCC, or:
If you wish for your donation to go towards the 2019 Grace Engbrecht Memorial Walk for MS, please go to www.mswalks.ca , click “donate”, then specify “Grace Engbrecht” under “search for a participant”.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Grace Engbrecht Monday January 21st 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba