December 6, 1929 – April 22, 2024
Peacefully, on April 22, 2024, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt began her next journey.
Eva Grace Naomi Wylie (“Grace”) was born on December 6, 1929, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She grew up in a packed household on Inkster Boulevard with her mother, grandmother, uncle and her two younger sisters. Though they did not have many riches and possessions, the family home was filled with love, laughter, music and many fond memories.
Her first job was as a clerk in the basement of Eaton’s department store. She worked there for many years before moving on to work at Chapman’s Pharmacy. There, she met the love of her life, John. They married in June 1952 and raised three beautiful daughters.
John and Grace initially made their home in Winnipeg before moving to Cook’s Creek, Manitoba where they shared many amazing years with their daughters and their grandchildren. While there, Grace became famous amongst her family, friends and neighbours for her cooking, baking and sewing. Every Sunday, the family would gather to enjoy Grace’s famous roast beef dinners and a wide range of delicious baking, which often included chocolate cake, butter tarts and the best baking powder biscuits on God’s green earth. She helped John tend to their massive vegetable garden, although she stopped short of helping him muck out the barn for the many animals he raised as extended family members over the years. Although, truth be told, Grace had a soft spot for all animals. She will forever be hailed as a hero for saving the family guinea pig from near death with a trusty hot water bottle and a few spoonfuls of whiskey!
Growing up in a musical household, Grace was self-taught on both the organ, as well as the accordion. She could play all sorts of songs, by ear alone. Grace was also the very best Grandma (a fact which is staunchly defended by her grandchildren), as she was never too busy to play a game of volleyball or hide and seek and she was especially adored for the Barbie furniture that she sewed for her granddaughters out of fabric and empty cigarette packages. When she had a few moments for herself, she chose to fill it with games of Yahtzee with her best friend Evelyn and anything funny on the television.
Grace and John moved back to Winnipeg after John retired and made their home in East Kildonan. After 48 years of marriage, John left Grace to begin his next journey. Since that time, 2 of their 3 daughters have also joined John. It gives us comfort to know that they are all together again, along with numerous other family members, friends and pets.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bethania Mennonite Memorial Foundation, 1045 Concordia Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2K 3S7.
Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mom
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back
He said “Hallelujah, you’re home.”
-Ed Sheeran, “Supermarket Flowers”
5 thoughts on “Eva Grace Naomi Hamm”
I love you, Grandma. You were an Angel on earth long before this day came. My heart is broken, but I am grateful. I am thankful for every tear, because it means I have known the unconditional love of a rare and beautiful soul. I was blessed with the gift of your light for 46 years and I am grateful for all of it. A piece of me has gone with you, but I look forward to the day when I’ll see you again. Thank you so much for loving me just as I am, all my life, and for making my world so much brighter. I’ll miss you so very much.
I was very lucky to met Grace through my mother . Over the yrs I got to know Grace better when my mom passed .
I would go over for coffee , smoke cigarettes in tune with her. She had a great sense of humour & laughed at silly jokes maybe
even a few little naughty ones.
She had a pet fish , unreal as it came to the glass & followed her finger like getting a touch.
On a few outings we went on for lunch , she ordered potato pancakes her favourite & enjoyed some errands shopping at Safeways .She was slow going along the isles , but I marveled at her poise choosing her items. This was a real treat for her .
She not a selfish person & had good words to say of others , always speaking highly of her family .
My Nickname for her was Amazing Grace as that’s what she portrayed when with me & others .
She a lady , spunky , classy , true friend , sparkling blue eyes , now a angel
I will remember her always .
Sharon Boyd
Grace was a wonderful lady! I always felt great pride to say, “I know Grace”. She kept all of us in her prayers and made the world a better place.
For Wendy, Kirsten and all her family your loss is great but she’ll never be truly gone because Grace is unforgettable! Her gift of memories will stay with us forever!!
Grace was a beautiful lady, after I lost Glenn, she would give me a call now and then, just to talk. So thoughtful. She will be missed, God has another beautiful Angel. Rest In Peace Grace.
Aunty Grace. We hadn’t seen you in awhile but you were always in my heart. You were so beautiful. And so were your daughters. As a young boy I always enjoyed visiting you and having a great time. I miss you and the girls and those days. But I shall never forget the time I spent with all of you. Love you forever xxxxxoooooo Brian Brazeau