Grace Ellis Ojala

Grace Ojala

Grace Ellis Ojala, beloved wife, mother, sister, and aunt, went to the Lord on Nov. 12. She was born to Clarence and Vira Brookhart in Kenton, Oklahoma on June 10, 1933. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Harold, youngest sister, Viola, her three children, John, Vira, and Bruce, daughters-in-law Teresa and Gretchen, grandchildren and their spouses Lisa, April (Chris), Jayna (Tim), Bryan (Kristen), Carly, Leah and great-grandchildren Madeline, Helen, Sam, Gabrielle, and Liam.

Her parents moved their family to Vancouver, Washington when Grace was four years old, then later to Snohomish. She attended Snohomish High School, and lived and worked for a summer in Seattle. She met Harold at a dance in 1949 and they were married on June 20, 1952. Their children were born in quick succession. They raised them in the Kirkland/Bellevue area and enjoyed many a camping trip as they grew up.

Once empty-nesters, they moved to Georgia for ten years. When they returned to Washington they purchased their dream home on the water next to the Langley marina on Whidbey Island. Grace loved to sit in her rocker by the window eating her breakfast while she watched the seagulls, eagles, sea lions, and occasional whale float by. She enjoyed gardening and walking the beach.

She was a painter, and a dancer, both cutting a rug on the floor with Harold and with tap and hula groups for fun. After Harold’s early retirement from Boeing, they traveled extensively for her singing and dance performances and for pleasure around the United States and to many countries.

Her love of God guided her thoughts and actions being involved in all the churches she attended. She sang in choirs, worked in soup kitchens, served as Deaconess, and opened her home to visiting missionaries. She was the consummate hostess, throwing parties for both her church and family members, attending to everyone’s needs. She made friends throughout her life, the latest of which were her caregivers at North Creek retirement community.

She will be missed by all, but we know she is in the arms of Jesus, her best friend.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 28th at Canyon Hills Community Church, 22027 17th Ave. SE, Bothell, WA 98021.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cannon Hills Community Church.