Grace F. Slieker, 95, of Carmel, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at St. Vincent Carmel Hospital. She was born in 1923 in London, and served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, where she would meet her future husband, William Slieker. After the war, they emigrated to Canada, and then finally to the United States. Grace had always been interested in science and medicine, but the war interrupted those dreams. After raising her two sons and working for many years as a secretary, she went back to school at the age of 60 and earned her BS degree in nursing, an accomplishment of which she was very proud. After retirement, she and her husband travelled extensively throughout the US and Canada, living in New York, California and Florida before finally coming to Indiana to be nearer to family. She enjoyed reading, particularly science and history, and foreign languages such as French and Dutch, which she learned to be able to better communicate with her in-laws. Grace had quite an independent streak, managing to live independently up until the last 3 months of her life. Her sense of humor was quintessential British, with understatement and wit. Her love of family was foremost, particularly of her two granddaughters and three great grandchildren. Her drive to do things “her way” based on reason and logical understanding defined her life. She will be missed.
Grace was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, William Slieker, her sister Faith, and her brother Jimmy. She is survived by two sons Graham Slieker (Mindy) and Lawrence Slieker (Melanie); two granddaughters; three great grandchildren; and her sister Agnes.