EAST MONTPELIER - Grace Mekkelsen a longtime resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2026, the Equinox, one of her favorite days because the days get longer. She was surrounded by her family at Woodridge.

Born on September 26, 1923, in Graniteville, Vermont to Catherine Craib McPherson and Allan McPherson. Her parents and eldest brother emigrated from Aberdeen, Scotland and her father continued his work in the granite quarries. She was the youngest of 7, Mickey (Allan), Sydney, Kay, Nettie, Flora, and Margaret.

Grace trained as Registered Nurse at Barre City Hospital, then Mass General in Boston. During WWII, Grace enlisted in the army as a Lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps and was stationed in the Philippines in harsh conditions, caring for critically injured soldiers and POW’s who she said had “suffered not only physical harm but also emotional damage.”

She continued her long career as a nurse at Barre City Hospital, private care, and ultimately as one of the first 2 Visiting Nurses in Vermont, caring for people in their homes in Washington county.

On January 7, 1951, she married John Mekkelsen at her parents’ home in Graniteville. They began their life together in Barre, Vermont, moving to E. Montpelier in 1969 to officially operate the RV business. She retired from nursing to collaborate with her husband and children to work in their newly formed family business, Mekkelsen RV. Grace’s sandwiches were legendary as a big draw for the annual Open Houses.

Grace was very active and enjoyed many adventures in life. She traveled extensively throughout the world with her family and close friends for pleasure and business. Grand Isle, Vermont was a special place. Grace and John bought a small camp in Grand Isle in 1976, and it became the gathering place for family and friends. She enjoyed swimming, boating, family meals, and sitting around the campfire with her grandchildren. She and her best friend Edna Tofani loved golfing, going to the Casino in Montreal, and watching the days grow longer. She was an avid gardener, and her family enjoyed the bounty of her gardens every summer and all winter long with her special jams, relishes and beautiful flowers from her many flower beds.

Grace was known for her great cooking of all things savory and sweet but especially for her pies: coconut cream, chocolate cream, pecan, apple, apricot, pork and many other baked treats. At least 4 of these would arrive at each family gathering.

On September 26, 2023, Grace and John celebrated their 100th Birthdays and 72 years of marriage with a lively open house gathering of friends and family at the home of Bruce and Laurie Mekkelsen.

She leaves behind three of her children Jane Mekkelsen, Connie Cherrier (Larry) and Bruce Mekkelsen (Laurie), the true joy of her life were her grandchildren. She leaves them with all her love and care and wishes for all the best in life Olivia Mekkelsen, Ashley Mekkelsen (Maddie Gross), Jenna Mekkelsen (Parker Cutting), John Mekkelsen, and Emily Doyle (Kyle) and great grandchildren Liam and Aiden Doyle, as well as leaving many dear nieces, nephews and their families.

She is predeceased by her husband John, parents, siblings and their spouses, and most painfully by her son John.

Our family is deeply grateful to our friends and family who have shared adventures, holidays, family gatherings and the ups and downs of life so lovingly with our family. We are grateful to those at Woodridge and especially our friends Tina, Kenzie and Kayla, who generously nourished our mother in all ways, thoughtfully caring for her and enjoying her spirit.

The service to honor and celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Presbyterian Church, 19 Seminary Street, Barre. The interment will take place in the Spring at the Wilson Cemetery in Lower Websterville. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to support local youth by making a donation to the Mekkelsen Lotus Lake Camper Fund. Please mail it to North Country Federal Credit Union, PO Box 64709, Burlington, VT 05406.