Grace Kanwisher (nee Worthy), 96, of Ottawa, Ontario, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026, with family by her side.
Grace was born on October 26, 1929, in Havre, Montana, in the closest hospital to the family farm located in Consul, Saskatchewan. She was born to Frances (nee Smeed) and William Leroy Worthy. She grew up on the farm in Consul until the death of her father in 1935, and then the family went to live with grandparents in Regina, Saskatchewan and later in Victoria, British Columbia. Grace graduated from Victoria High School and then went on to become a teacher.  She married the love of her life, William (Bill) Kanwisher, on May 5, 1951, and together they raised six children, living in Victoria, Washington DC and finally settling in Ottawa, Ontario. She was a very loving and devoted mother to her children. Grace later went to Algonquin College and trained as a computer programmer, and she enjoyed a career in Information Technology at Canada Post. In retirement, Grace and Bill enjoyed travel in Canada, USA, and Europe, often joining with friends and family, and they spent their winters in Myrtle Beach for many years. A devoted Christian, Grace was a faithful member of Pleasant Park Baptist Church for more than fifty years where she sang in the choir. She was also active in the Ottawa Baptist Women’s Association. She and Bill later changed membership to Bilberry Creek Baptist Church so that they could attend church with children and grandchildren. Grace enjoyed swimming and hiking in her younger days and later directed her artistic talents to quilting and knitting. She enjoyed entering quilting competitions and also made gorgeous quilts and wall hangings for her children and grandchildren. Grace loved to spend time with her family and friends.
Grace is predeceased by her beloved husband of 72 years, Bill Kanwisher. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Valerie Wiseman (Alan), Lisee Kiar (Ron), Bobbie Cann (Scott), David (Kim), Ken, and Janet Nasmith (Charles), as well as her 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Grace is predeceased by her parents, Roy and Frances Worthy, her brother David Worthy and sister Martha Easter. She will be missed by her brother Bill Worthy.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario. Chaplain Don Collar will officiate. This will be followed by Internment at the National Cemetery, where Grace will join her husband, Bill. There will be a reception to follow.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Chapel Hill Retirement Residence, where Grace enjoyed living and making friends for the past six years. Thanks also to the dedicated nursing staff on the Geriatric floor of the Civic Hospital for the care they showed during her last days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ottawa Mission or to Canadian Baptist Ministries in Grace’s memory.
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