FRANCES GRIMES

FRANCES GRIMES

Frances Grimes, artist, loving wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed peacefully at her home in Chico on June 21, 2009, with her husband, Robert; and daughters, Nancy and Laurel at her side.

Those who visited her home were often uplifted by her ability to catch the beauty of the world around her and bring it to the viewers' eye in her paintings. Art shows, both in San Mateo, CA and Chico, showcased her watercolor florals and landscapes.

Another side of Fran was revealed in her great love of family. She was married more than 63 years to her beloved Bob, college sweetheart and lifetime companion. She took great pride and joy in her children, Nancy, Laurel and Steven. Her nurturing care continued in her love of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fran's life was also marked by her love of travel (frequent trips to Hawaii, Europe several times and Japan) and delight in new experiences. Her deep thirst for knowledge was shown in her widespread reading of philosophy, religion and poetry and in the personal library on those subjects she acquired over the years. Fran's contemplative nature led her to seek fulfillment in religious teachings of both East and West.

She was a member of the PEO sisterhood for more than 50 years and an active member of St John's Episcopal Church during her years in Chico.

Fran was born in York, Nebraska on January 17, 1920 to Ethel and Willard Bullock. She was the only child of her generation in a household of adoring aunts, uncles and grandparents. She was a vivacious, tap-dancing, redheaded child attending elementary, high school and college in her hometown of York. At York College she met her future husband, Robert DuWayne Grimes. After graduation, she taught kindergarten in a small town in western Nebraska. During World War II she journeyed to San Francisco with her mother to work for the U.S. Maritime Service and await Bob's return from Army Air Corps service. Her love affair with California began at this time. Bob and Fran were married in York on December 2, 1945. They started married life in Smith Center, Kansas where Nancy and Laurie were born and then moved to Manhattan, Kansas where Steve was born. In 1959 her West Coast dreams were realized when the family moved to San Mateo, California. Here she studied and attended art classes, developing her techniques and style, especially evident in her florals, while pursuing her spiritual journey and continuing to look after her family. In 1989 Fran and Bob moved to Chico to be near their autistic son, Steve. She continued painting with local showings and custom work. A breast cancer survivor, Fran's years in Chico were marked by the survivors' annual art show.

Frances is predeceased by her beloved son, Steven; her parents; grandparents; two aunts; and three uncles. She is survived by her husband, Bob; daughters, Nancy and husband Jim Robinson; Laurie and husband Ben Grounds; grandchildren Kalian and husband Ken Kesick, Ethan, Dustin, Keina and Alicia; and great-grandchildren, Kyler, Kaden and Kole.

The family would like to thank Arcadia Health Services, Butte Home Health and Hospice and Addus Health Care for providing dedicated in-home care which allowed Frances to stay in her own home as she had wished.

Memorial Services will be held Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at St John's Episcopal Church, 2741 Floral Ave, Chico.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Alzheimer's Resarch Fund, Joe McGehe Center, Chico CA, or Butte Home Health and Hospice.