On May 5, 2011, Kathleen (Sally) Sylvia Anne Clace (nee Ettinger) passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Hospital with family at her side.
Born in Fort William on Nov. 17, 1935, she spent her early years in the Watcomb/ Ignace area of Northwestern Ontario. Here she developed her life-long love of nature and animals.
In 1952, Sally married Thomas Gordon Clace. The couple built their first resort on Watcomb Lake, later buying a resort on Young Lake in Northwestern Ontario. It was here that Sally polished her skills, becoming not only an accomplished cook but also a respected and well liked business owner.
Many customers returned year after year to enjoy her outstanding cooking, friendly manner, and gentle spirit. Sally and the camp were featured in a series of three newspaper articles published in the Beloit Wisconsin Daily News in 1971.
After selling the tourists camps, Sally continued her career at a women’s halfway house. Later, she moved on to work for the Roman Catholic Bishop of Thunder Bay, John O’Mara, where she remained until retirement.
Sally was very involved in various groups and affiliations over the years.
She was a great friend and mentor to many. She continuously sought to improve her life and assist others. She leaves behind many wonderful and treasured friends from her groups, church and other organizations in which she has been involved.
Sally was known to her friends and family as a fiercely independent, self-sufficient woman who may have been considered ahead of her time.
She learned to drive, owned her own vehicles and home, and lived an independent life style. She was a self-educated woman who had a strong belief in the value of learning. She strongly encouraged and supported family and friends in all their endeavours.
Sally is survived by her children Bonnie (Magne Tjernqvist), Cathy (Mike Kovacs) and Rick (Jennifer nee D’Angelo), grandchildren Joshua, Miranda, Makayla, Devin, Erika, Ryan and Shawn, great-grandchildren Aiden and Serenity, sister Daisy, brother Raymond and numerous nieces and nephews. Sally was pre-deceased by her parents, Raymond Ettinger and Olive Williams, siblings Joyce and Joseph, infant son Vance Randy and grand-daughter Jennifer Ashley Clace.
The family would like to thank all the doctors and medical professionals at St. Joseph's Hospital Hospice unit who cared for Sally at the end of her life. Bonnie, Cathy and Rick and the family would also like to express their great appreciation to Sally’s niece and great friend Kathy Bean for all the loving care, support and assistance she provided to Sally over the years.
Following cremation, Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Kathleen (Sally) Clace will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 N. Cumberland St. with Rev. Jan Stevenson officiating, final interment to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society (Rosslyn Road) or to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, designated to the Northern Cancer Research Fund would be greatly appreciated.
Online condolences may be offered at
www.harbourviewfuneral.ca
.
