Grace Isabell Marlatt Peebles – our cherished daughter and step-daughter, beloved sister and step-sister - lived for 23 years, 9 months, and 7 days before she passed away from SUDEP on April 4, 2021.  In her short time with us, she touched our lives, and the lives of the people around her, in profound and permanent ways. 

Grace was all that her name implied; she was full of care and love.  She was generous and witty, a joyful young woman poised to embark on her life’s journey - ready to set out into the world and to use her strength and abilities to help others.    Grace’s view of the world was shaped by her intrinsic belief that we needed to be kinder to each other, that compassion and empathy should be the foundation of our actions, and that supporting the most vulnerable among us was the only way forward for us all.

Grace’s life was lived with a view to the needs of others. Her sisters, school friends, foster animals, strangers - all were the beneficiaries of Grace’s kindness and attention. She loved her sisters immensely and they would tell you that whatever they might need on an outing, Grace already had packed for them in her purse. Perhaps a small gesture, but symbolic of what it was like to have Grace as your sister. Grace’s friends would say that Grace was always present for them, and made them feel cared for, seen and safe. Grace was proud to describe her family as a “patchwork quilt” that became more beautiful as we added and accepted each new member with love. All creatures large and small, but especially those forgotten and neglected, found a loving and protective champion in Grace.