Gudrun Grell

For Gugrun Grell, breath has ceased, but her life remains as an enrichment to those who knew her and those who did not through her many generous endowments. Born in Denmark in 1907, her mother, the famous opera singer of the Royal Danish Opera, Margarethe Boeck Lendrop and father, Dr. Otto Lendrop, Gundrun became an actress in Copenhagen. Traveling to Paris to pursue her theatrical career, she met and fell in love with Guidvad "John" Grell. World War II kept them apart for 10 years with no exchange of letters until the War ended. One telephone call from Sweden to Paris brought happiness and marriage. Gundrun left her family and country to live in Paris, New York and Martha''s Vineyard, Mass., with John. She traded the property on the Island for sunny California and moved to Halcyon in San Luis Obispo County. From theatrics to farming was quite a step, but her favorite saying was, "Life is full of a number of things, all interesting if we lend them our mind and energy." Gudrun was "Mama" in "I Remember Mama" at the Pasadena Playhouse Theater in the 1950s. Many of you will remember her as the "Christmas Tree Lady," and the "New Zealand Spinach Lady." She was proud to have used the term "organic" long before it became a household word. She planted, tended and later sold avacados at the San Luis Obispo Farmer''s Market. Gudrun was adventurous and traveled worldwide. She was an author and linguist, and wrote books and theater plays in four languages about love and travels. She was the lady philanthropist who gave priceless paintings the the Clark Center. The Grell Salon, named after her, holds these paintings. She also gave the property in Oceano, for the thriving Co-House Community. A memorial service for this marvelous lady will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010, at the University Center, 3171 Temple in Halcyon - Bring your memories and stories to share. Gudrun, you are missed.