BSc (Hon); MSc (HHNS), University of Guelph
Guelph lost a true Gryphon, and the world a brilliant mind, in the early morning of Dec. 13, 2015. While the city slept, quiet and unaware, Grace Glofcheskie was fatally struck by a car fleeing police.
Grace grew up in Arnprior, west of Ottawa. She was the loving daughter of Gerard and Nancy (née Brown), and sister to Adam, Luke, and Rachel.
Grace had recently graduated her studies at the University of Guelph with a master of science in human health and nutritional sciences. At Guelph, she earned her bachelor of science in human kinetics. She had been captain of the University of Guelph golf team, and spent much of her time mentoring, supporting, and volunteering with the team as well as other programs at the university. Her coaches praised her selflessness and leadership skills, describing her as the “glue of the team.” Grace had been vice-president of the Guelph College of Biological Sciences Students’ Council. She was a driving force behind several significant fundraising projects. Her friends remember her as an intrepid scholar, a true and tender friend, an incredible athlete, and an accomplished cook. Grace Glofcheskie exhibited every quality that students of the University of Guelph are proud to possess; she was a scholar, she was an athlete, she was conscientious and engaged with the community, and she was compassionate. Grace was in every sense, lovely. At The Ontarion, we did not have the fortune of knowing Grace personally, but as is customary of our small, tightly-knit community, we have many friends who did. We cannot imagine the pain and grief her loved ones are experiencing, but as Gryphons, and as people who have been lucky enough to walk the same paths she has, we know that the students of Guelph will endeavour to remember her as an extraordinary woman, as a special light. We will remember her warmth in the face of steep tragedy, we will remember the ephemeral quality of life. So, for Grace, we should all remember to say, “thank you.” We should say, “I am here for you,” and we should say, “I love you” more and mean it.
Her family has set up the Grace Olivia Glofcheskie Memorial Fund, which will support athletics and academics in Arnprior and at the University of Guelph. Donations can be made to alumni.uoguelph.ca/grace.