Skip to content

Beloved Penticton Elder Grace Greyeyes dies after battle with cancer

Greyeyes didn’t let her diagnosis slow her down as she participated and blessed many events
web1_230712-pwn-grammagreyeyes_2
Gramma Grace Greyeyes offered a blessing and a prayer at the opening of the rainbow 2-spirit crosswalk at Queen’s Park Elementary. (Brennan Phillips Western News)

After battling cancer, beloved Elder of the Penticton Indian Band Grace Greyeyes died on Friday, Nov. 24.

Greyeyes was a well-respected Elder and a familiar face around the community. She spoke at Penticton’s graduation ceremonies, took part in Pow Wows, and offered prayers for many events including the the rainbow-two spirit crosswalk in Penticton.

An outpouring of support for her family and tales of Greyeyes’ impact on people’s lives have been shared on social media.

A celebration of Greyeyes’ life was held on Nov. 27, and her burial is scheduled for Nov. 28.

The community’s support helped Greyeyes earlier in 2023 to complete her bucket list wish of going to a Pow Wow in Oahu, Hawaii.

A survivor of the horrific experiences of the residential school system, Greyeyes later worked as a registered nurse at Penticton’s Regional Hospital before retiring.

More to come.

READ MORE: Penticton Elder Gramma Grace is going on bucket list trip to Hawaii

web1_230906-pwn-grandmagracehawaii_1
Penticton Indian Band Elder Gramma Grace Greyeyes is dying of cancer but is getting a bucket list wish come true to go see a Pow Wow in Hawaii, thanks to the generosity of the community. (Hashmark Photography)
web1_231004-pwn-flagraising_1
Kiana Greyeyes, left, and Chantae Kruger, right, carry the flags of the Penticton Indian Band and Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance to where they will be permanently raised on Okanagan College’s Penticton Campus. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Breaking News You Need To Know

Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up


Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
Read more