Barbara Rose Grimaldi

1925 - 2021

Family and friends are mourning the death of Barbara Rose Grimaldi, a longtime resident, developer, and benefactor of South Walton County. Although Miramar Beach was her beloved home for many decades, Barbara was residing with the Vestiarki Sisters of Jesus in Sunny Hills, Fla., when she passed away on June 14, 2021, at the age of 96.

Born in Flushing, N.Y., on May 2, 1925, she was the firstborn of Michael and Marion Grimaldi's three daughters. Her father, a career Army officer, was the founder of Miramar Beach and known to the area as the Colonel. His military service meant that the family had to relocate quite a bit, so Barbara lived in New York State, Savannah, Ga., Springfield, Mo., and Pensacola and Miramar Beach, Fla.

Throughout the 1950s and early '60s, Barbara held numerous positions at Eglin AFB. After her father's death, Barbara took on various projects of the Colonel's. She became the first president of South Walton Utility Company and ran Grimaldi Enterprises, a real estate company. Her career in real estate spanned decades. She donated the land that was used for the Miramar Beach Post Office and was a significant donor to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast. A proud promoter of South Walton, she was amazed to watch the area change over the years, especially from the days when her father had homesteaded here. Barbara had a generous spirit, a keen intelligence, and a fun sense of humor. She was a devout Catholic and a pro-life advocate, and, above all, Barbara loved our Lord wholeheartedly.

Barbara was preceded in death by her sisters, Ruth Burwell and Marion Wright. She is survived by nephews and nieces Michael Wright, Thomas Burwell (Gerry Anne), Margaret Burwell Stevenson (Lenny), Mary Anne Wright Kelly, Louis Burwell (Leeanne), Joseph Burwell, and Gerald Burwell (Lisa), numerous cousins, and many grand- and great-grandnephews and nieces.

Services will be held at Resurrection Catholic Church in Miramar Beach on the morning of June 22. Visitation will be from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., the rosary at 10:30 a.m., and the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. The pallbearers will be her nephews Michael Wright, Louis Burwell, Joseph Burwell, and Gerald Burwell, and grandnephews Christopher Wright and Stephen Kelly. Light refreshments will be offered after Mass. A private family burial service will take place at Brooks Memorial Cemetery, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Food For Thought Outreach (fftfl.org).