Obituary of Grace Bannerman
Grace Christina Bannerman (Phillips) passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 31st, 2024. Grace was born on June 20, 1936 in Delhi, India, the daughter of Paul D. and Mary Phillips. Grace attended school in Delhi and Agra, India. She completed 4 years of nursing, 3 years of general nursing and also studied to be a midwife.
Grace was recruited by the province of Manitoba in 1964 where her first job was located at the Clearwater Lake Hospital, in The Pas, Manitoba. One year later, she moved to Brandon, Manitoba where she met her future husband, Glenn Bannerman. They were married in 1965. Their first son, Rojiv Charles was born in 1966 and their second son, Donald Phillip was born in 1967.
As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Glenn was transferred every three years. The family lived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, North Bay, Ontario, Syracuse, New York, Senneterre, Quebec and finally Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where they decided to lay down permanent roots. In each place, Grace continued to help those in need by working as a RN.
Grace began nursing at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre in the ICU in 1978 and was a dedicated member of the team until her retirement in 1999. She was very well known in the community for her compassionate care of the patients and many of her coworkers became lifelong friends.
Grace and her family travelled throughout Canada and the United States, but her favourite place to travel was back to India to celebrate many joyous occasions with her family and friends. The family visited a few times when the boys were young and then after she retired, Grace and Glenn went to visit every three to four years. Even after Glenn’s passing, she travelled to India four times. Grace also loved to walk outdoors, knit, crochet, watch Hindi TV and movies, and phone her many friends and family from all over the world.
Grace is survived by her two sons, Rojiv of Regina, Saskatchewan and Don (Catharine) of Calgary, Alberta, her grandsons, Taron of Brandon, Manitoba and Keelan of Grand Prairie, Alberta, sister Annie of Chennai, India, brothers George of Delhi, India and Suresh (Nargis) of Los Angeles, California, sister-in-law Vi (Bill) of Brandon, Manitoba and many nieces, nephews and the rest of her extended family in both India and Canada.
Grace was predeceased by her husband Glenn, her parents Paul D. and Mary, brothers Solomon and Victor and sister-in-law Padma.
Grace appreciated the care and kindness shown to her by all of her friends and neighbours who helped her fully enjoy life throughout the years.
Walk tall as the trees
Live Strong as the mountains
Be gentle as the spring winds
Keep the warmth of the summer sun in your heart
And the Great Spirit will always be with you.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey's Funeral and Cremation Care, Yorkton.
