Grace Thayer Stanley

Grace Thayer Stanley passed away Aug 14 at 1:11 pm at the age of 94.   Born Dec 3, 1923 in Altadena, CA she was the only child of Clarence and Ethel Thayer.  Her father was a Nazarene pastor in various ID, OR and WA towns.  After graduating from High School in Toledo, OR in 1941, she attended NNC.  She married Bart Mckay in Sept 1944, who had joined the army during WWII.  He was injured, returned unable to walk, and Grace nursed him back to health.  Bob, Sherry and Barbara were born while Bart finished his education and taught. In 1954 Grace and Bart became Nazarene missionaries to Japan for 13 years. Grace loved to sing and play the piano.  Grace taught typing and English at the Nazarene college.  Another son, Bill came along in 1964.  Grace was an amazing shopper and would race through the malls.   Her best memory of Japan was the kindness and friendliness of the Japanese people.  Her worst meal was eel. In 1967 the family returned to the US, Bart taught at NNC and Grace finished her bachelors in English Education.  She taught High School English in Kuna.  Grace, Bart and Bill moved to Hong Kong in 1973. In 1975 Grace and Bill returned to help Barbara and Rich move to Carbondale, IL.  She stayed for 31 years and became a beloved secretary of the music department at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.  She played piano in several Nazarene churches and received a Distinguished  Service Award in the Anna Nazarene Church.  Later Grace married Jim Stanley who passed away in March 2005. Grace then moved to Nampa, ID to be near her daughter, Barbara.  She moved into Sunny Ridge Retirement home in 2006 and has loved living there.  She enjoyed playing the piano for church services, leading exercise class, playing games, and all their wonderful activities.  She loved to care for others and organized and befriended many.  She received several awards for Volunteer of the year and was written about in the “Goldmine”.  She enjoyed Bill Potraz’s friendship and cared for him till he passed away.  Her dog and cat were precious friends for her.

The family would like to thank Complete Hospice and the assisted living staff at Sunny Ridge that cared for her this past year.  She zipped around on her scooter and the staff fondly called her “Little old lady from Pasadena”. She spent time reading and cutting out pictures of cats, dogs and sunsets; and enjoying Church and other activities. In her last days she was joyful and almost eager to be with Jesus.  

Grace is survived by her 4 children, Robert McKay, Sherry Gray, Barbara Sullivan, and William McKay.  Her grandchildren are Shannon Fye, Michelle McPherson, Lonnie Alamond, Rachel Conrad, Amber Sullivan, Steve Sullivan, Amanda Garza and Rebecca Hodo and 17 great grandchildren.   

There will be a viewing and visitation on Wednesday, Aug 22, from 6-8 pm. at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So. A Funeral Service will be held at the Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nampa on Thursday, Aug 23 at 10 AM.  Burial will follow at the Kohlerlawn Cemetery. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com 

 A celebration of life will be held at Sunny Ridge Retirement Center in Nampa on Wednesday, Aug 29 at 11 am.

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