Grethe Clausen, (Hejlesen) passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025, at the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Etobicoke, Ontario.
Born on August 17, 1935, in Hirtshals, Denmark, Grethe was a fiercely self-determined and resourceful person even at a young age.
The eldest daughter to Thorvald and Agnes Hejlesen and older sister to Hans, she was relied upon to care for the wellbeing of her family.
Her grandparents Johannes and Tine were her refuge and safe space, welcoming her into their home day or night. They exemplified unconditional love and would become the most significant influence in her life.
At the age of sixteen, Grethe set off into the world and left her little coastal town of Hirtshals for the city of Aarhus where she worked as a mother’s helper and care aide. Grethe began her nursing studies and joined the Baptist church where she met her husband to be, Jorgen Clausen. Their romance would eventually become the ultimate adventure.
Married in Tornby Kirke, DK in 1958, they left quickly afterward to Canada where Jorgen devoted himself to theology studies. It was a great sacrifice to leave her family and grandparents behind, yet her keen ability to solve problems and dogged determination would serve her well. She started as a nurse at Toronto General Hospital as well as St Joseph's in Hamilton while supporting her husband through his studies.
Grethe’s foundation of nursing would carry her through various careers in healthcare. From caring at bedside in hospitals and care homes to assessing infection control needs of large corporations, she completed a second degree in Occupational Health and Safety at the age of fifty-five after raising her four children. Grethe worked tirelessly to build a health and safety program for Purolator, worked as a health and safety nurse at Baxter and Crown, Corkand Seal. Her career was balanced with grandchildren who she adored and additional volunteering at her local hospice, Bethel House in Caledon, ON.
She loved her home in the country and shared many activities and traditions with her family. Her family fondly remembers annual strawberry picking and jam making, pumpkin patch and apple orchard outings, Christmas crafts and candlelit singing, walks in the forest and wonderful poolside and patio parties. Grethe was always a hostess of uncompromising standards, frequently welcoming local friends and family from Denmark to many dinner gatherings.
After losing Jorgen to heart issues in 2018, Grethe lived alone, bravely facing the advancement of a rare muscle disease. She never allowed anything to hold her back, navigating life with her walker, swimming in her pool and in the ocean while on holidays with her family.
Grethe was a devoted wife and mother and would do anything to support her family. She was known for her kindness towards others, her love of dance and music and her dedication to her community as an active member of both the Islington and Caledon East United churches.
It was the eventual loss of independence from an episode of illness this past November that accelerated her death. In the last weeks of her life Grethe was surrounded by her family and celebrated a beautiful candlelight hymn sing with her grandchildren on Christmas Day evening. She was surrounded by love and more importantly, able to share her last hopes and wishes with each of her family members.
Grethe spent her last 5 days in the capable care of Dorothy Ley Hospice, a fitting closure to her life where she had cared so deeply for others. She held the hands of loved ones in her final breaths and left this world with peace, dignity, faith and love.
Grethe was married to her loving husband of 59+ years, Jorgen Bjerre Clausen. She is survived by her children, Kren (Hanene Ben Salah), Nils (Kathleen nee Kapper), Karen (Martin Dockrill) and Christina (Lionel Trombert), and her grandchildren, Samantha, Daniel, Kalli, Emily, James, Luc and Liam.
Grethe will be laid to rest at the Caledon East Cemetery. An internment is planned in May as a formal service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Dorothy Ley Hospice