Florence Grimit's Obituary
Our mother, Florence Grimit, was a remarkable woman, wife, and mother. The closing line from George Eliot’s Middlemarch captures the legacy that she has left to us:
"But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."
Florence Lee Bouchee Grimit was born on August 26, 1923, to Peter and Mabel Bouchee in Tacoma, Washington. Florence passed away peacefully on November 4, 2014, in Lacey, Washington.
Florence grew up during the Depression and, like many of her generation, she was ever frugal, hard-working, and grateful for what she was able to attain in life. She was particularly grateful for finding “the man of her dreams”, Paul Grimit, at a dance held at Seattle’s Spanish Castle during the war. They were married on his birthday, February 11, 1946, in Tacoma and subsequently had three children: Mike, Susan, and Diane. Paul and Florence lived in Tacoma for their entire married life. Paul passed away in 1980, and Florence lived in the home that he built from 1957 until 2007. She then lived in Lacey to be closer to her daughter, Susan.
Florence’s cooking and sewing skills were topnotch. We didn’t always appreciate her handmade clothes for us, but they were perfect. We were not. No dinner was ever complete without a freshly baked pie or cookie. She always loved making cookies and eating them, too! Three generations of her family still enjoy the warmth and beauty of her handmade afghans.
She belonged to a bowling league (Paul D. Grimit Construction), spent many hours in the yard and garden, and absolutely loved to dance. Many friends were made on the dance floor. We were always amazed by her agility in heels!
Florence was a daughter of musicians: Peter, a drummer, and Mabel, a pianist. Florence’s choir at Tacoma’s Lincoln High School was the highlight of her school career. As a shy girl, she gained confidence as a soprano. She went on to sing in community choirs, most notably the PLU Choir of the West. She gave her children the wonderful gift of music instruction: Mike, the accordion, Sue, voice, and Diane, piano. Considering that she married a tone deaf non-dancer, she kept music alive in our household and instilled a great love of music in all of her children.
Florence is survived by her three children: Michael (Christine) Grimit, Susan (Dennis) Herrick, and Diane (Stanley) Long, ten grandchildren: Eric (Kari) Grimit, Zachary (Brianne) Grimit, Denise (Stefan) Kristjanson, Julie (Ricardo) Nannini, Karl (Sheila) Herrick, Andrew (Elizabeth) Herrick, Stephen Herrick, Audrey Herrick, Corey (Susan) Long, and Rachel (Amites) Sarkar and eleven great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home.
What’s your fondest memory of Florence?
What’s a lesson you learned from Florence?
Share a story where Florence's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Florence you’ll never forget.
How did Florence make you smile?
