Grace Kimberley (Eisenhut) (March 18 1931 - January 30, 2025 in Barrie, Ontario Canada), our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great- grandmother was a woman of character and strength, a "raise them right and make them into decent human beings" kind of mom. Our Dad was away a lot of the time and Mom raised six children (Sandy, Leslie, Colleen, Craig, Kim and Cam) mostly on her own.
Mom had six children; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Our father, Stan Kimberley, predeceased her in 1999.
Mom's father was a concert violinist and she loved music and taught us to love it too, and to hear and feel it. One of Mom's greatest pleasures was singing in the choir and playing piano.
She also taught us all to cook enough to survive, how to keep the house clean, to do what you say you're going to do, and to act with a little common sense. If she thought you needed to be set straight, she would set you straight. She also had a wonderful sense of humour which lightened her life and ours. There was much laughter around the kitchen table.
In a time and place where bigotry was common and generally acceptable, our Mom's Christian upbringing allowed her to see and appreciate other people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Mom didn't believe in "not talking" to people when annoyed with them, or for any other reason. No matter what disagreements you might have with her, she always stayed in touch with you. As long as she could drive, you could always expect a visit. When she couldn't drive any longer, you could expect a phone call.
Mom’s own mother died when Mom was a child and she once remarked that you learn how to be a mother from your mother .. and despite her being raised by a single father during the Great Depression she was a wonderful mother and was dearly beloved by us. We will always miss her and appreciate how she helped to form our lives.
Mom was fiercely independent and resourceful with a quick and curious mind. Dementia robbed her of her memories over the past few years and she became more frightened and insecure yet every now and then her sense of humour and feisty personality would show through. It was shattering for us to watch her sink into dementia and was frustrating for her to not be able to figure things out, not to be able to "connect things" as she often said.
Mom was very close to her siblings all of whom predeceased her and she often spoke of going to see them. We like to believe that is exactly where she is.
To honour Mom's life, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Cremation has already taken place and the family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later time. If you would like to attend to share a few Grace stories and pictures, please contact Sandy Eichler at mumeichler@hotmail.com.