A Space for Grace
Grace Tee was born in Manila, the Philippines, in 1962. At age 18, with fearless optimism, Grace moved to Vancouver, BC to work as a nanny. Grace fell in love with Vancouver, recognized the opportunities it afforded and decided to make it her home.
After settling in Canada, Grace studied hospitality at BCIT – helping others was always her path. She got married and started a family, and had dreams of a long, bright future ahead.
Grace quickly found work in hospitality and excelled; her proficiency and capacity for hard work elevated her position wherever she was employed. She worked at several major hotels before finding her ideal position as Head Housekeeper at her beloved YWCA Hotel in 1996.
Grace became a widow at a young age, though she never wavered as a devoted mother to her two beautiful daughters, Nikki and Robbie. Her children made Grace prouder than anything else in life. Beyond their academic achievements, Grace loved that they grew to become independent, caring, responsible and hardworking young women.
As Grace moved through this world, she took every opportunity she could find to help others. She cared for her aging parents and continued to work as a helper and later as a caregiver for a family. She became part of “Doc’s” family and dedicated her Sundays to his care. She placed newly arrived caregivers from the Philippines, trained them, and always made sure that her client, affectionately called “the old man,” had top-notch care and companionship.
Things were not always easy for Grace, but her zest for life and loyalty to others, especially her daughters, kept her afloat in rough going. In 2002, she fought and survived breast cancer, and although she lived with other health problems, she never complained.
Grace worked tirelessly, but also liked to have fun! Her love of adventure continued throughout her life and she welcomed any opportunity to travel, especially loving getaways to Las Vegas with her partner, John.
In 2015, Grace was dancing and celebrating her win at the bowling alley when she suffered a heart attack; she passed away shortly after at the age of 53. The loss was deeply felt throughout her many communities.
The YWCA was a second home to Grace, and she was incredibly proud to be a part of the organization, which benefitted immeasurably from her efforts and enthusiasm. Her daughters were involved in the youth programs and she encouraged others to make use of YWCA services. It is for these reasons and more that her pictures still adorn the walls at the hotel.
To honour Grace by raising funds in her name and dedicating the beautiful new YWCA Hotel Rooftop Garden to her memory will ensure her legacy lives on. This garden will be a place to pause and appreciate life for weary travellers, and to learn more about Grace.
Grace touched everyone she met with her warm, infectious smile, her intelligence, her enthusiasm for life and her wonderfully generous spirit. We hope you will join us in recognizing her legacy to the YWCA.
Honour Grace by making a gift in her memory. The funds will be dedicated to the YWCA Hotel’s new Rooftop Garden.