Gracie was happy-go-lucky kid who loved music, dancing, nature, and making people laugh.
Gracie Herntier had wisdom and maturity that belied her seven years.
Friendly and curious, she was able to connect with everyone she met, no matter their age, recall Ana and Tony Herntier, Gracie’s parents.
When a child was being bullied at school, Gracie made sure to play with him. She was caring and protective when it came to her younger sisters, and she would give away her toys to friends.
Gracie was also a happy-go-lucky kid who loved music and dancing, nature (even kissing frogs!), making people laugh, and playing with her three dogs.
She passed away unexpectedly last March, leaving family, friends, classmates and her entire community, devastated.
In her memory, the Gracie Herntier Fund supports the School of Contemporary Dancers and Manitoba Theatre for Young People, helping those organizations carry on activities Gracie loved.
“It’s important to us that her name goes on forever,” says Ana Herntier. “She was only in the world for a short time but in that time she did a lot. Our dream is to have Gracie’s fund grow to help others, to help as many people as she can through her spirit.”
Gracie had already demonstrated tremendous community spirit. In 2013, she organized a successful garage sale to benefit her school’s music program and was planning another at the time of her death.
Family and friends are carrying on her work. In 2014, they raised $7,000 and the third annual event will take place in May, 2015.
