Myrtle Grimes

ALLEGANY, N.Y. - Myrtle Dora "Peggy" Grimes, formerly of the Eldred, Pa., area, peacefully passed away on Sunday (March 10, 2013). She leaves a painful void in our midst that will be hard to fill.
"Peggy" was born in Bradford, Pa., on July 26, 1923, a daughter of Julius and Hester Miller. On Jan. 4, 1947, in Hinsdale, she married Ralph Grimes of Knapp Creek. For 61 years, Peggy and Ralph were constant companions until his death on Oct. 6, 2008.
Raised in Bradford, she was a graduate of Bradford High School, a majorette with the high school band, and had marched for the Rew (Pa.) VFW and the Otto-Eldred Fire Department. She always enjoyed roller skating and dancing as a child and any type of car racing as an adult. She spent a good share of her life working at the local area race tracks along side of her husband Ralph.
After high school, Peggy worked as a sales clerk for the McCaffery and Baker clothing store in Allegany. She also worked for Viko Furniture in Eldred.
While living in Allegany, Peggy decided to become a stay-at-home mother with her children, Jack and Bruce Ellis. Family and friends became her life. Decades were spent "carting kids" and providing for their health and happiness, as well as that of many other neighborhood children. She raised her two sons with tender love and a strong, principled hand, teaching them that they can do anything with a little determination and elbow grease.
She was an avid race car fan, gardener, canner, bird-watcher and reader, and she loved to cook special treats. For every holiday and change of season, her home was beautifully decorated. Peggy especially liked her collection of salt and pepper shakers. Jars of canned fruits, vegetables and pickles filled the shelves alongside a freezer full of vegetables from their abundant garden. Her racing scrap books, designed with a fan admiration of many race car drivers, are coveted heirlooms.
When asked "Hey, do you want to ...?" Peggy would have her shoes on and be ready to go before the question was finished. She enjoyed being active with her treasured friends and family and was always willing to help with any project.  
Whether it was to enjoy a family night, an occasional dinner out or a jump in the car to any race track, "Peggy" was a devoted wife to Ralph; they did everything together. Much of her later years were spent staying with her family and enjoying time with them.
Peggy was a McKean County Fair Bingo director for several years, a lifelong member of the McKean County Fair Association, and she had volunteered for several years at Camp JJ. She had worked at the Bradford Speedway, McKean County Raceway in Smethport and had been involved in many area race tracks with various job descriptions.
Surviving her are two sons, Jack (Micki Layfield) Ellis of Allegany and Bruce (Dail) Ellis of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; four grandchildren, Marshall Ellis of Kannapolis, N.C., Eirik (Kim) Ellis of Dunkirk, Rhonda Ellis (Daron) Hough of Franklinville, N.J., and Cody Ellis of Allegany; as well as five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She demonstrated a loving spirit and generosity to others beyond her biological family that inspired them to call her mom and/or grandma. She was pleased and honored by this.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Miller; and a sister, Sylvia Grimes.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Frame Funeral Home in Eldred to share a remembrance and celebration of the loving spirit of Peggy. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan McDowell and the Rev. Glen Layfield co-officiating.
Those wishing to remember Peggy in a tangible manner are asked to make a contribution to the Olean First Baptist Church, Allegany Fire Department or to a charity of the donor's choice.