Margaret Grimes

There are few who seem to master the ability to find joy in even the simplest of things, but Margaret Grimes made doing so seem effortless. She could find beauty anywhere whether in the majesty of nature, the melody of a song, or in the heart of everyone she met. Margaret had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, even during the sunset of her life, and she believed that anyone is capable of learning regardless of their age. She was never too interested in collecting things, but she was more interested in collecting people as her doors were always open to anyone in need. Margaret was a caring, generous, and loving mother whose nurturing spirit reached countless others who were within her reach – a true gift to all who were blessed to know her.

The year 1918 was a year of both trial and relief as this was the year in which the deadly flu pandemic reached a peak of 202 deaths daily, but this was also the year that our nation emerged from WWI as a world leader allowing countless servicemen to return home to their families. This year was one of great excitement for the family of William and Bessie (McDonald) Baldwin as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Margaret, on November 20th. Margaret was born in Walled Lake, located within the Detroit metropolitan area as one of five children in her family. Although born in Walled Lake, Margaret was raised in the Kalamazoo area. Her father was a farmer who worked for a number of years at Upjohn while her mother was a cook at Borgess Hospital. It was during her formative years that Margret established a deep love and appreciation for the outdoors and learned a lot about plants as well. She enjoyed playing tennis and was very active in church activities. Margaret attended local schools including St. Augustine High School and graduated as part of the class of 1937.

During a time when jobs were difficult to come by due to the trials of the Great Depression, Margaret worked in the office at Kalamazoo Valley Paper. It was her personal life that took center stage as a young woman, however. Margaret’s life would never be the same after she made the acquaintance of a certain young man while at a Catholic youth organization. His name was John Patrick Grimes and they began dating. After falling hopelessly in love, Margaret became Mrs. John Grimes on May 9, 1942, at St. Augustine. After a honeymoon at the church rectory, the couple was excited to settle in and begin their new lives together. John’s mother lived with them which provided Margaret with her interest in gerontology. They started a family right away, but were separated for a time as John served in the Persian Gulf during WWII.

Margaret and John were blessed with three wonderful girls, Mary, Ann, and Lydia. She completely immersed herself into caring for her girls and wanted only the best for them. Margaret enjoyed arts and music, and she took her girls to a variety of cultural events including several plays. Life around the Grimes household included an appreciation for art and music of all kinds.

Throughout her life, Margaret never wanted to stop learning. She graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College with her associate’s degree in 1971. Margaret continued her education at Nazareth College and became the first “older” student to pursue an education there. She graduated cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in social work in 1973. Margaret later went to school at Western Michigan University where she graduated as a gerontology specialist in 1982. After taking a trip to Idaho, Margaret fell in love with the area and subsequently lived there for a time. She attended the College of Idaho and earned her master’s degree in 1984. Margaret’s pursuit of knowledge didn’t just include academic endeavors. She took up archery and competed in state meets, and she still had a desire to learn sign language and how to play the guitar.

Never one to be idle, Margaret was always busy doing something. Many of her interests incorporated her love for the outdoors including camping, taking long walks, and cross country skiing. Margaret found such splendor in nature whether in everyday elements such as sticks and leaves or on a grander scale while she was enjoying recreation in the mountains or white water rafting. Together, she and John loved to ballroom dance when they were able. Margaret was involved within her community in a variety of ways as well. She was a religious teacher for 14 years, and she also worked with the Red Cross and as a crisis intervention counselor. All three of Margaret’s girls were Girl Scouts and as a result, she was actively involved with the program for over 30 years. Margaret was a part of the Edison Neighborhood Association, Senior Services in Kalamazoo, and also with the Kalamazoo City Commission and the Kalamazoo Stroke Club. When she was looking to relax, Margaret was an avid reader who loved to lose herself between the pages of a good book despite being dyslexic.

Margaret Grimes was a remarkable woman who never stopped learning new things. She embraced both the peaks and valleys throughout her life and when facing trials, Margaret never complained but poured her heart into the pages of the journal she kept. She was a woman of faith who lived to love others whether her family, those she worked with, or countless people within her community. Margaret was a lover of life who found happiness in things whether great or small, and it will be her zest for life that will be so dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Margaret M. Grimes of Kalamazoo died May 15, 2010. Margaret’s family includes 3 children: Mary Carolus, Ann Marie Grimes and Lydia (Brian) Hoff; 3 grand-daughters: Nicole Honesty, Kate (Ryan) Ross and Theresa Furchak and a great-grandson, Patrick Ryan Ross and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband John Grimes, 4 siblings: Catherine, Douglas and Charles Baldwin and Mary Willette. A memorial mass will be celebrated Saturday 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please visit Margaret’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to the Girl Scouts – Kalamazoo Region. Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – Kalamazoo, MI; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900.