Susan M. (Blakely) Grislis

Lincoln - Susan Mavis (Blakely) Grislis, 79, formerly of Lincoln and Toronto, died Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Home, East Greenwich.  She was the beloved wife of the late Varis Grislis.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, daughter of the late T. Wilfred and Mavis (Horne) Blakely, she lived all over Canada in her youth and moved to Lincoln in 1985 with her young family.

Susan was an avid gardener, devoted mother and grandmother, hesitant sailor (Varis’ passion) and lover of animals – especially black Labradors (Gypsy, Baily, Bethan, Roxy, to name a few).  Her homes were full of gorgeous plants, and eclectic artwork – the paintings by her grandmother Elfie Blakely took pride of place.  She loved coffee, the occasional stiff drink, and to the amusement of many, broccoli.  Susan was as likely to be found watching hockey, football or the Kentucky Derby, as she was to be at the symphony with friends, or power walking around the neighborhood with one of her labs.   She was a devoted member of the Limerock Baptist Church, serving as deacon and on countless committees.

For thirty years, Susan dedicated her career to adult and family literacy.  After a short stint with Air Canada, Susan left the workforce temporarily while her children were little.  A decade or so later, she started volunteering with Literacy Volunteers of America where she eventually became director of programming.  She later led Project Learn, Woonsocket, as executive director, retiring in 2016.  Hundreds of adults learned to read, earned their GEDs and improved their lives as a result of Susan’s leadership and dedication.  She is the winner of the Paul Dempster Award (Community Care Alliance’s highest honor) and the City of Woonsocket proclaimed Nov 13, 2003 as “Susan Grislis Day” for her service and advocacy on behalf of adult and family literacy in the state.  

Susan is survived by her daughter, Lisa Grislis (Brian Mason) of Toronto, Ontario; her son, David Grislis (Kimaree) of Narragansett and her brother, Thomas W. Blakely of Windsor, Nova Scotia.  She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Michaela and Owen Mason and Brady, Blake and Jeremiah Grislis.

Donations to St. Elizabeth Home, or the Grislis-Mason Family Fund at Toronto Foundation would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. 

Her funeral service will be held Friday, December 3, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in Swan Point Historic Chapel, 585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence.  Burial will follow in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.  Relatives and friends are invited.  A short reception will follow.  For directions and guest book, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.  Arrangements with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.

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