O.C., O.B.C., LL.D., D.TECH., F.R.A.I.C. (Hon.)
OCTOBER 14, 1927 – MAY 24, 2017
Grace McCarthy was a highly successful businesswoman who opened her first flower shop at 17 years of age and built it into five flourishing shops. Then she decided to take on a public role for the next three decades. She was a Vancouver Parks Commissioner, MLA and cabinet minister, serving as Deputy Premier with several portfolios, including economic development, provincial secretary, human resources and tourism.
She initiated Canada’s first toll-free Help Line for abused children; successfully lobbied governments to enable women to own property without a male guarantor; founded Canada’s first school of floral design, initiated the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre, established Canada’s first linear parkway and SkyTrain, and initiated B.C.’s first film promotion office.
Retiring from public life, Grace McCarthy turned her attention to raising funds for research to help children with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. She was a founder of the CH.I.L.D. Foundation, envisioning a Canada-wide Network for Children with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) connecting doctors, researchers and families for the first time in Canada.
Grace McCarthy left an indelible mark on our entire province and we will remember her kindness in making a difference in all our lives.
Grace was predeceased by her dearly beloved son Calvin in 2009, and will be dearly missed by Raymond, her husband of sixty-nine years and by her daughter Mary (late Barry Parsons), her Grandchildren: The Reverend Canon Christopher Parsons (Anke), Dr. Matthew Parsons (Mary), Shannon Parsons (Thomas Ernst), five great-granddaughters: Hannah, Lucia, Bronwyn, Penny and Margaret, grandson Arnold, niece Lynne Nielsen (Finn) and family.