Yvonne May Tubman Grillo

Yvonne May Tubman Grillo, age 89, passed away on March 11, 2017. She was born July 7, 1927 in English Creek, NJ, the daughter of the late Chester and Blanche Tubman. She lived in New Jersey until she married her husband, Nicholas Grillo. In 1945, they moved to New York City where she was employed by Gimbles Department Store. They lived in many different places, including, Ocean City, MD, Berlin, MD, Bridgetown, NC, Miami, FL and finally, Jacksonville. While in Jacksonville, Yvonne worked for Bellsouth as an overseas operator, ship to shore operator, a radio operator and eventually became a chief operator until she retired from the engineering department in 1982. After retirement, Yvonne and her husband moved to Cincinnati, OH for six years and then settled back in Jacksonville. Yvonne was very active in the Jacksonville Garden Club and a past president of the Women's Pilot Club of Jacksonville. She was an avid reader, seamstress and RV traveler. Yvonne and Nick traveled to every state in the U.S., as well as traveling to Mexico and Canada. Yvonne enjoyed the Jacksonville Symphony for many years as a season ticket holder. She and Nick were also great dancers. They moved to Westminster Woods Retirement home in 2010 where she enjoyed being a volunteer on and off campus. She attended church at Westminster was also a member of the Ladies Choir. Occasionally, she would attend services at the Riverdale Community United Methodist Church. She was predeceased by her husband, Nicholas J. Grillo; her twin sister, Shirley Tubman and their sister, Joanna T. Sauls. She is survived by her one child, Raymond M. Grillo (Cece); two grandsons, Ryan M. Grillo (Shannon) and Daryl M. Grillo (Staci); three great grandchildren, Summer, Kimber and Wyatt Grillo; sister, Charlotte Stembridge of Grantsboro, NC; niece, Patricia Stembridge of Grantsboro, NC and two nephews, Larry and Kenny Stembridge of Grantsboro, NC. A memorial service will be held on April 15, 2017 at 11:00 am in Riverdale United Methodist Church. 1028 CR 13 S. St. Augustine, FL 32092 The family would like to say “Thank You” from the bottom of their hearts to the amazing staff (second floor) at the Health Center of Westminster Woods of Julington Creek and to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida for the loving care and for walking this journey along side them. In addition to flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.