A free spirit, Grethe slipped away quietly in her 96th year on the 19th of July, 2015. She would have been disappointed at the lack of fanfare, as she always strove to be as outrageous as possible.
Born in Fyn, Denmark, in 1920, she was the eldest of 6 children, born in a time and place where no advantages in life were offered. She compensated by over-doing everything she could. She was driven to be an excellent cook, needlewoman, and gardener, an accomplished dancer, a frequent flier, an avid reader, an audiophile, and a “cat-lady” who took in all strays.
She was predeceased by her husband Niels in 1972, by her youngest daughter Inga in 2001, by her long time companion Tony in 2002, and by her eldest daughter Ketty in 2007. She is survived by her daughter Margit (Bill) on Salt Spring Island, and three granddaughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca in Duncan, and Dianne (Mike) in Houston, as well as extended family in Denmark.
With special thanks to Michele, Alexia, and Barbara, who went above and beyond to make Grethe’s last years bearable. Thanks also to Calvin’s Bistro, Fernwood Cafe, the dedicated staff at Greenwoods and Lady Minto Hospital, and to Dr. White and Dr. Barcan for all their care.