Lucie V. Griswold

Lucie V. Griswold "Fast" Lucie Griswold was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother who passed away at the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, Washington on July 30, 2007. She was preceded in death by husband Alva Griswold, sons Donovan and Dennis Griswold, daughters Donna Kelly and Dolores Nelson, grandsons Leonard Spencer, Dean Griswold, Darin Griswold and Frank Green, and granddaughter Alison Green. She is survived by daughters Dixie Bame, Deanna Mackiewicz and Delphine Blair, sons Dwight, Darrell, and Dale Griswold, and "adopted" son Gene Hall. She was born on May 4, 1906 in McDonald, Kansas to Dolly Spears and Simon Boland, the youngest of six siblings. On May 28, 1931 she married Alva Griswold in Hot Springs, South Dakota; they settled in Platte, South Dakota and had eight children. In the early 1940's, the Griswolds headed west to Bremerton in search of higher wages and a better life and added two new youngsters to the family, which now totaled ten - five boys and five girls - all with first names starting with the letter "D." The extended family has now grown to 31 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; most live in the Tacoma area. Despite a hardscrabble life, Lucie maintained high expectations and taught by her example invaluable lessons to be passed on to generations - that family ties are a high priority, that honesty and hard work are the standard, that everyone is welcome to support in their time of need, and that it's OK to sing off key as long as you enjoy yourself! Family and friends were blessed by her unending dedication to our community and those we loved, accepting us all unconditionally. Up until her final years, Grandma Lucie never forgot a birthday and had a Christmas gift for each of the over 70 people who made up our family. Lucie was strong in her faith in the Lord and an active church member. She was an avid baker who kept family restaurants in supply of fresh-baked pies and donated dozens of cookies for the Special Olympics. She was also known for her handmade quilts and donated many to annual fundraisers for the YWCA women's shelter as well as supporting other non-profit causes. Also politically active, Lucie ran for Secretary of State in 1976 along with her son-in-law and musician Red Kelly, who ran for Governor. Lucie ran on the OWL (Out with Logic, on with Lunacy) party ticket, formed by family and friends in the northwest jazz community. Although the party was originally intended as a parody, Lucie won over 40.000 votes, remarkable for an independent candidate with no party recognition. Lucie was an amazing woman who many of us were blessed to know and love. We will miss her hugs and kisses, wry smiles, dry wit, and independent spirit. Viewing will be held TODAY, Wednesday, August 1st, from 1-8pm at the New Tacoma Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Thursday, August 2, 2007 at 11am at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, North 14th and Stevens St., Tacoma, followed by a reception. Graveside service will follow at New Tacoma Cemetery at 2:30pm. Photos and family story can be found at: www.thenewstribune.com/news/columnists/merryman/story/120547.html