Grace Lillian Dunelyk (Nee Pepper) Dec 8,1924 – Jan 19, 2023

Grace Lillian Dunelyk (nee Pepper) Dec 8,1924 – Jan 19, 2023

Grace “Toots” Pepper, Mom, Grama, Gram , passed away peacefully in Toronto this week. She was an independent woman until the end, loved by family, all visiting with her to say goodbye. Daughter Christine Thomas and family Robyn Thomas, Trasey Thomas and Adam McKinty with Jennifer and Hugh Simpson with Anita and family Melissa (Missy) Simpson and Alex Simpson.

Toots was the youngest of seven brothers and sisters ( George, Jim, Bill, Bessy, Helen) born to William (Bill) and Christine Pepper (OHagan) of Chatham St in Belleville On.

She was a spark, full of life, wit and humour, a bright light for all who knew her. Optimistic, hopeful, supportive and very proud and grateful for her family.

She worked her whole life but was most fulfilled in her role as a mother, grandmother, homemaker and happiest when her family was happy.

Connected to Grace’s focus on her family and her independence was her lifelong, albeit mostly private, advocacy for dying with dignity and the right to die. Towards the end of her life, Grace became more vocal and at times frustrated with what she felt was the system’s intransigence about the patient’s right to die and through her humour, wit, personality and likeable but assertive persuasiveness; caused a few Influencers to re-think biases.

Of course it won’t be quite the same around here without Grace Dunelyk, we will be better for having known her.

A life well lived and loved,

Xox

Offer Condolence for the family of Grace Lillian Dunelyk (nee Pepper) Dec 8,1924 – Jan 19, 2023