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1960 - 2013


Bridget Anne Corkery / Grace passed away at the age of 52 on Wednesday May 22, 2013 after an 11 month journey with melanoma. She spent her last moments in the presence of her husband Michael Grace and her father, Patrick Corkery.

Bridget spent her life in creative pursuits which most recently included working at Stryck Design as a woodworker as well an instructor at Kootenay School of Art and some time spent teaching in the Selkirk College Multi-media program. She was a founding member of the Oxygen art centre and her commitment to community involvement was endless which included volunteer work with The Rosemont school PAC, Destination Imagination, Nelson Minor hockey, Nelson Youth Soccer, Home links home school program, Oxygen Arts centre, LVR Boys Basketball and BC Festival of the Arts.

Among those creative pursuits was her garden. Bridget was not herself if she was not gardening or making art. In the winter it was cross country skiing that was her passion.

Bridget will be loved and remembered forever by her husband Michael Grace, sons Gavin, Adam and Neil, her brother John Corkery and her father Patrick Corkery. Bridget’s mother, Barbara Corkery, passed away in 2011. There are many extended family members and close friends who will miss her dearly.

Bridget was born to Barbara and Dr. Patrick Corkery on September 16, 1960 in Warrington, England. The family immigrated to Canada when Bridget was 5 years old. She grew up in Edmonton Alberta, where she stayed until graduating with a bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Alberta.

She attended Florida state university, in Talahassee Florida, where she achieved her Master’s degree in Fine arts as well as a certificate in cabinetmaking as part of her sculpture training. She stayed in the United States for a few years moving to Philadelphia, where she worked as a woodworker and began building her art career, participating in artist run galleries, workshops and other art events.

Bridget moved to Toronto in the late 1980’s where she met Michael her husband. There they both pursued careers in art and design and set out to establish themselves as practicing artists and craftspeople. Bridget again worked as a woodworker/ furniture maker. She was an active member of open studio and a founding member of the Red Head gallery, an artist run co-operative gallery, which still exists today. She participated in many exhibitions with her print making, painting, sculpture and furniture making and fostered many strong relationships in that community that still exist today.

In 1990 Bridget and Michael moved to Port Rowan, Ont., two hours from Toronto, after their Toronto studios were slated for demolition. They found a rural property and converted a barn into a studio for furniture and art making. The property also allowed for a huge vibrant garden which was Bridget’s summer passion. Gavin and Adam, her eldest and middle sons, were born in Port Rowan. There again she has left many friends from that community.

In 1995 Michael accepted a teaching position at Selkirk College in Nelson and the family moved to British Columbia. Neil, her youngest son, was born in Nelson. Bridget found a place in the art community here as well as being heavily involved in her children’s activities.

We love her very much and we are going to miss the spirit that gave our family joy.

A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate, 813 Ward Street, Nelson with Father Jim Ratcliffe presiding.

There was also a reception held at 4:00PM on Monday, May 27 at Mary Hall located at Selkirk College 10th Street Campus, 820 Tenth Street, Nelson

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to

The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon Division

565 West 10th Avenue

Vancouver, BC V5Z 9Z9

Or

The Canadian Diabetes Association

1589 Sutherland Avenue

Kelowna, BC

V1Y 5Y7

Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of

Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.



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