Carolyn Drinard "Kay" Grinnan

1944 - 2023

GRINNAN, Carolyn 'Kay' Drinard, Carolyn (Kay) Drinard Grinnan, passed away on Wednesday December 13th, 2023 at age 79. She was preceded in death by her parents, Madeline and Charles Drinard, and her in-laws, Elizabeth and Daniel Grinnan IV. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Daniel Grinnan, Jr., two wonderful children who blessed her life, Madeline Kate Grinnan (Tim Rogeberg) and Dr. Daniel Charles Grinnan (Samara), and two adored grandchildren, Emily Page Grinnan and Clayton Daniel Grinnan, sister-in-law and dear friend Elizabeth Grinnan Purcell (Arthur) and three lovely nieces Jessie Purcell (Alan Bresfeld), Carolyn Pope (Brendan), and Charlotte King (Roger).

Kay graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, where she met her future husband, the love of her life and soul mate, Dan. She graduated from The College of William and Mary, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and received her M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. She and Dan were married January 28, 1967, and recently celebrated their 56th anniversary.

Kay began her career in education with Henrico County Public Schools upon graduation from college in 1966, and was employed by Henrico County Schools until her retirement in 2006. She loved being both a teacher and a school counselor, hoping to make a positive difference in the life of her students. She was an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Counselor Education Department of the School of Education for 26 years and was the first Counselor-in-Residence for the Counselor Education Department in 1992-93. She received the VCU School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994. As a young woman, Kay was president of the Monacan Junior Woman's Club and Assistant Junior Director of the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs. Professionally, she was president of the Henrico Education Association and member of the Richmond Area Counselors' Board of Directors. Kay was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and served as president of her chapter, Alpha Alpha, 2012-14.

Kay loved traveling the world with Dan and spending time at their river home on the Rappahannock River with their river "family". She loved kayaking, reading on the porch, and having family and friends come to visit. Her favorite times were being with her husband, dearly loved children and her grandchildren, whom she considered the lights of her life.

A celebration of Kay's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, where she was a faithful member for over 55 years, on Thursday, December 21st at 2 p.m. Family will receive friends at a reception at the church following the celebration. Burial at Westhampton Memorial Park will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Presbyterian Church.