Grace Agnes Calderwood Boyce

Grace Agnes Calderwood Boyce, age 81, entered the presence of her beloved Lord and Savior on January 18, 2026. It was a Sunday with a gentle snowfall, and she knew she was loved.

A woman of radiant joy and a hospitable spirit, Grace’s life was defined above all else by her unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ, which served as the foundation for everything she did and every life she touched. She was known to many as amazing Grace and that was fitting.

She was born in Detroit, Michigan, into a godly, musical family. Her parents, James Calderwood and Jean Greene, were immigrants from Scotland and survivors of the Great Depression. Church life was the religious and social institution which dictated their lives. The most striking thing about her family growing up was the consistency between what they said and what they did. Walking with Jesus was as natural as breathing for them.

As a child, she thought the line in the hymn that says “Oh for grace to trust Him more” was about her. As the youngest child by many years, Grace was also doted on by her two much older siblings, Bill and Margaret, whose own children became like siblings for her. She prioritized family and was thankful for all of them, especially after surviving a very traumatic car accident as a child. Being raised by parents who were Scottish and lived through the Depression meant she avoided debt and never wasted anything; she was naturally thrifty, but also exceedingly generous with others.

A lifelong learner, Grace attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, studying French and Music. During her freshman year of college, her father passed away and she began a job at the Detroit Public Library children’s area to help pay for college. It was there that she found her new passion “bringing books and people together” and graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in Library Science Education. While at Wayne State, she met her future husband, Douglas (Doug) Wesley Boyce, through their involvement with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Their time together caused them to see that they would enjoy serving the Lord together for life. Grace continued her education at the University of Michigan, obtaining a Master of Arts in Library Science in 1968.

Grace and Doug were married on June 15, 1968. Only a few short months later, Doug was drafted to serve in Vietnam. Upon his return, they lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as Doug completed his Master’s and PhD before settling in Abingdon, Virginia, for almost thirty years.

In Abingdon Grace chose to be a stay-at-home mother, raising their three young daughters. Doug played the guitar, Grace the piano and the children were musical as well. They were routinely called the “Von Boyce Family Singers” when they performed at church. When the children were older, she had a rewarding career as a reference librarian at Virginia Highlands Community College. While working, she obtained a second Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). Grace was an active member of Abingdon Bible Church and served in music, children’s, and Bible study ministries. She was also a dedicated volunteer at local schools, eventually being awarded a lifetime membership in the national Parent-Teacher Association. She and Doug also provided in-home care for Doug’s parents for several years in Abingdon. Grace balanced family, service and work and did it with a smile. She formed special life-long friendships from this season of life.

Upon Doug’s appointment as President of Paul D. Camp Community College in 2003, the couple moved to Franklin, Virginia. Grace continued her career as a librarian at Roanoke-Chowan Community College in NC. She and Doug became active members of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, serving together in the choir, Bible studies, missions committee, children’s ministry, and as greeters. Highlights from her time in Franklin were her time in Book Club, attending exercise class and the YMCA, caring for her father-in- law “Pick” Pickles in their home, hosting a Parkinson’s support group, connecting with neighbors, attending Getty Music “Sing!” conferences and keeping up with all eight grandchildren with whom she had been blessed.

Grace and Doug built a 57-year marriage centered on an intentional commitment to their Lord, their children, grandchildren, parents and community. Known as a remarkably hospitable, wise, and generous couple, they opened their hearts and home to many, housing people from all over the world. This shared devotion to kindness was most quietly evident in Grace’s final years; as Doug faced a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, Grace remained focused on her role to care for him with dignity and love—a final testament to the selfless, Christ-like service that defined their life together.

Grace was a woman of worship. A gifted musician, she served her Lord for many years at the piano bench and shared her beautiful soprano voice in church and community. Most recently, she found great joy in performing as a member of the Alamance Chorale and playing piano at The Village at Brookwood for their Sunday service, in Burlington, NC, where she moved with Doug in 2023. When she played the piano and sang, her joyful disposition and bright smile and beautiful voice encouraged everyone. Even during her final days, music was a grounding comfort to her soul.

Because of the selfless investment she consistently made in others’ lives, hundreds of people sent messages of gratitude to our family thanking us for her rich legacy of joy, faith and love. A couple of verses from one of her favorite hymns, I Know Whom I Have Believed by Daniel W. Whittle, captures her confidence and faith in Christ:

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

To me He hath made known

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own

I know not how this saving faith

To me He did impart

Nor how believing in His Word

Wrought peace within my heart

Refrain:

But I know Whom I have believed

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

Unto Him against that day

Grace is survived by her devoted husband, Douglas Boyce; and her three daughters and their families: Janet Nye, her husband Richard, and their children Miles and Ethan; Laura Ortiz, her husband Dalmiro, and their children Benjamin, Laura Grace, and Rebeca; and Emily Boyce and her children Wesley, Ian, and Gracie Marks. Grace was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, William Calderwood and Margaret Prestel.

A Memorial Gathering will be held in NC on July 11, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, Grace suggested the following organizations be supported with charitable donations: South America Mission, Wycliffe Bible Translators, or your local public broadcasting station.