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BORN
1924
DIED
2011
Joan Grimes Obituary
1924 - 2011
Resident of Walnut Creek
Joan Grimes believed that what was worth doing was worth doing well. This belief guided her life.
She was an Alpha at Beverly Hills High School, an athlete as well as a scholar. Her parents gave her a movie camera in 1940, and she produced, filmed, and edited the BHHS newsreels. She graduated in 1942.
At Stanford University, she was a basketball star, tapped for Cap and Gown, a member of the A.S.S.U. Executive Committee (Excom), president of Cardinals, and a DG. She was student manager in 1946-1947. She carried the axe to the 1946 Big Game at Cal in the trunk of her '46 Ford coupe, the "Grey Ghost." She received her BA in 1946, and her MA in Economics in 1947.
She met George Grimes at Stanford, married him in 1949, and had six children: Stephen, Deborah, Edward, Kenneth, Jennifer, and Matthew. Under "occupation" in her Stanford 45th reunion book, she wrote, "Mother about covers it all." "All" included her tireless efforts to give her children the same academic and athletic opportunities she had enjoyed, while making their lives fun; volunteering for schools, scouts, charities, and swim clubs; cooking great meals; and creating a garden of great beauty and serenity.
The friends she made she kept. Her sense of humor and enthusiasm made her fun; her great love of reading and varied experiences made her interesting; and her sense of honor, her selflessness, and her compassion for both people and animals made her an inspiration.
Joan died of heart failure on March 3. She is survived by her husband and children; her brother Robert J. McDonough; her grandchildren Jack, Chiara, and Tatiana; and her daughters- and son-in-law, Nancy, Julie, Nicola, and Brian Frank Carter. Our great good fortune was to have known her, loved her, and been loved by her.
Donations in her memory may be made to the East Bay SPCA, the Humane Society of the North Bay, or ARF. Those who wish to contribute to heart disease research may send donations to the American Heart Association.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Grimes
January 30, 2012
Dear George,
It has been a long time. Please know how sorry I am at your wife's passing. I don't think i will ever be able to address you and your wife as anything but Mr. and Mrs. Grimes... out of pure respect.
May peace be with you and your family. I understand the loss. My prayers are with you and your family. Please pass on my condolences to Steve... not having been in touch with him is one of my regrets.
Sincerely,
Steve Scott
22704 NE Mountain View Ct.
Ridgefield, WA 98642
971.998.5337
Patty Tanaka Egusa
March 27, 2011
Dear George and Family,
My thoughts are with you and all your family. I worked for George 30+ years ago at Lockheed and when I married, invited George and Joan to my wedding, and remember Joan as very kind and gracious. George, I have thought about you often throughout these years because you were the kindest person ever (and one of my first bosses) and I am very sorry to hear about Joan as you talked about her quite often. With deepest sympathy, Patty Tanaka Egusa.
Nancy Murphy
March 26, 2011
Dear George and Family,
Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to you. Being your neighbors for over 30 years, we have many good memories of Joan. Her excerise routine was a inspiration to us to stay healthy.
She always had a kind word and maybe some news as she delivered our San Miguel Newsletter.
Always working in her yard,she would smile and chat as we would walk by.
She will be missed as she helped make our neighborhood a special place to live.
Sincerely
Mike and Nancy Murphy and family
Dave Fowler
March 22, 2011
Dear George and family,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you.I know Joan was very blessed with a wonderful and loving husband and family.
God bless you.
Lynda Nunn
March 21, 2011
Dear Mr. Grimes and Family,
How very blessed to have such a matriarch and outstanding example of a Wife and Mother. Accomplished and humble. I pray she is with her beloved family members who have gone before her. Rest assure. She continues to feel your love and you will carry hers inside your hearts.
With Love,
Kurt, Lynda, Leanna & Alisha Nunn
Corey Gonzales
March 21, 2011
My best friend's mother...one of the most kind, generous and filled with grace!
Dave Osorio
March 21, 2011
Growing up in the same neighborhood, I am proud to say her son Mathew is one of my oldest and best friends, Mrs. Grimes always had a smile, never a harsh word, welcoming us kids into her house and beautiful yard filled with tree fort, hoop court, garden, serving us a snack on most days, kept a well organized and clean home, just a wonderful sweet lady always, a warm summer breeze or fresh spring day is my memory of her, her husband George is just the same, obvioius they really enjoy eachother, I know the family is at peace because of the wonderful life they share, and my heart goes out to all the Grimes family in their sorrow.
Love from our San Carlos family to your San Antonio family!
Dave
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Memorial Events
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