Grace Maartje Mansvelt

Our beloved Grace Maartje passed away on August 10, 2025 following a severe reaction to CAR-T treatment for lymphoma. Grace was the first-born child of Jody Huffman and David Mansvelt, arriving in Toronto on February 3, 1997. Grace means “gift of God”, and from the beginning she was a gift to us and all who knew her. An energetic and inquisitive child, Grace loved to laugh, read, and play outside. In 1998, Grace moved closer to Mansvelt family roots in Halifax, welcoming brother Jonathan shortly thereafter. Grace loved learning, played piano, clarinet and three other instruments, excelled in school, and kept active through swimming and soccer. As a teen, she made her best friends in bands at Georges P Vanier Junior High and Lockview High, as well as at the Fall River Chapel Youth Group. She dedicated her summers to camp counseling at Malagash Bible Camp and Mount Traber Bible Camp. After briefly studying sciences at Saint Mary’s University, Grace moved to Antigonish and began a new job at L’Arche. Her work living alongside people with disabilities helped Grace to realize a new direction in life, and she enrolled in Mount St. Vincent University’s Child and Youth Studies bachelor program. Grace ultimately joined the IWK Health Center Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program where she worked one-on-one with young children with autism. She loved the children, and the children loved her. Grace was excited to become permanent staff and considered pursuing further education when she was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 2024, requiring her to take a leave for treatment. Grace lived bravely with cancer in hope of recovery, buoyed by the steadfast love and support of her fiancé Elizabeth, and her large circle of family and friends. Grace was a faithful friend and a gentle, kind soul. She was an avid reader and journaler, and enjoyed nurturing her houseplants, playing games and catching up with cousins, visiting her beloved Oma, swimming in Grand Lake, working out in the gym, and exploring nature with Elizabeth. We will miss her beautiful smile, easy laugh, bear-like hair, and cosy presence. Grace’s undying love and light will remain in their partner’s heart and soul until the end of time. Grace was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Russell Huffman and Janet LaRonde, of Oshawa, ON, and paternal grandfather Nick. She is survived by fiancé Elizabeth Buno, parents Jody and David, brother Jonathan, Oma Mary Maartje Mansvelt, Grandpa Pat LaRonde and a large extended family. A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas Anglican Church, 3534 Highway 2, Fall River, on Sunday, August 24th at 2:00pm, with reception following in the church hall. A private family interment will follow at St. Margaret’s Church, Oakfield. Donations in Grace’s memory may be given to: -Adsum House for Women and Children (https://adsumforwomen.org/donate-3) -Nova Scotia Youth Project (https://www.youthproject.ns.ca/donate) -Autism NS (https://www.autismnovascotia.ca/get-involved/#donate) We extend our thanks to the staff at the Victoria General Hospital unit 8B and ICU for their care and compassion in Grace’s final hours, and to all of the family and community support that has provided us with an abundance of love, prayer, food, and flowers.

Grace Maartje Mansvelt

February 3, 1997 - August 10, 2025