Dear Editor:
It’s with a deep sense of loss I acknowledge the death of my dear friend and colleague Grace M. McCarthy.
Although I knew it was coming, I’m still having difficulty coming to grips with what is still a sudden, tragic loss.
There has been no one quite like her in my public life – we worked together, fought battles side by side, yes, quarrelled sometimes, held each other in great respect and affection and were friends. After we had both left government, Grace was the first person I called if I had a question that had even the remotest connection to politics.
Her career will be fully told in many places and very few can claim her accomplishments. I just want to refer to her deep sense of social responsibility.
In her political prime, some – by no means all – her opponents saw her as hard and uncaring but those who worked with her and took the time to look, saw a warm-hearted, caring person who was one of the finest human resource ministers B.C. ever had. As we shall see, where many had the talk, Grace had the deep social conscience and she walked the walk.
When her granddaughter got Crohn’s disease, Grace went to work, formed, breathed life into, raised millions for and – until final (days of her) disease – worked long hours for her CHILD Foundation. To watch her work in her 80s was like watching a miracle. Every bit of Grace Mary McCarthy, which as one who knows can tell you was a massive contribution, went into her hugely successful undertaking, her adored and adoring family, her huge circle of friends and, always to the end, public service.
Personally, she supported me when many wouldn’t. To be up to your eyeballs in controversy and hear her smiling voice – yes that’s what it was, a smiling voice – supporting and cheering you on was a tonic like no other.
We shared a birthplace – Grace Hospital – and a joke. Whenever I introduced her I would mention that she was the first girl born at Grace and named after the hospital, that I too had been born there but, thank God, not the first boy as I wouldn’t have wanted to be called Grace!
Always successful at whatever she undertook, be it business, politics, service to people, friendship, love of her family – Grace Mary McCarthy was a one-off and we truly shall not see her like again.
Blessings, dear Grace, and rest – like no one I’ve ever known, you deserve it.
To Ray, her life’s companion and soulmate, how devastating this loss. The love and fidelity you showed Grace came through to all who knew you as did her great love and respect for you. No loss like this can be minimized but you know that God gave you a special place and a very special person.
Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, you know how much she loved you – rejoice that you had her so long and carry the genes of this remarkable person – know that we all weep with you.
Thank you, Grace. We will miss you so much.
Rafe Mair and
Wendy Conway-Mair
Lions Bay
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