Donna Lee Grimes

April 26th, 1941 - July 31st 2015

Boca Raton, Florida

Donna Lee Grimes; Mom of 5, wife to Richard, friend to everyone, therapist to most, had a smile that could light up the world, passed on to Heaven on July 31st, 2015.

She was born to William & Florence Ferguson in St Louis, Missouri on April 26th, 1941. The second of three children, she is survived by her older sister Nancy who lives in Jacksonville Beach and a younger brother Dennis, who lives in Boca Raton. When asked as a young child what she wanted to be when she grew up, she always had the same answer; “I want to have a big family and raise them all in one home”.

Donna’s family moved to South Florida during her teenage years and she attended Central Catholic High School in Fort Lauderdale, where she drove Brian Piccolo to school every day. It was during this time, that she met some very special girls who whom she would form friendships that would last a lifetime.

When Donna was in her mid-twenties, she was representing her family’s interior design company at the Miami Convention Center when she met Richard Grimes. He was looking for a company to do some design work and was immediately smitten with her. Upon meeting him, Donna’s mother told her she would be hearing from him again, and less than a year later they were married.

Donna settled down in Boca Raton with her husband Richard and together they raised 5 children in the home that Richard built for her. It is in this home, where she created a life around her family and lived her dreams out loud.

Donna often said that each of her children are completely unique from the other, yet all have a special heart. Her oldest is Marc, someone who has always marched to his own beat and still continues to do so till this day. Her only daughter, Mindy, always stood on her own and was born with the nerve that she wished she had. Her son Robert came next, who was always prepared to take care of them. Scott followed soon after Robert and from the beginning snuggled up to her heart. Last was Glen, which was a big surprise. His nickname was Houdini and he showed up on Christmas Day. She lived for each of them and loved them with all her heart. These were the smiles that made her heart beat. Days with her family turned into years, and the moments turned into memories that would fill the home with the love and laugher that she always wanted.

Donna had many catch-phrases but there were a few that became her signature. ‘Guess what’ is how most of her stories began and there was always an ‘Oh my God’ in there to. Donna’s love of conversation was legendary and once almost cost her a job in high school. She was a phone switchboard operator and, once or twice she became too interested in the conversations and ended up being part of them. Quite often she would hear, ‘Ms. Ferguson, please disconnect your line and get back to work.

Donna played tennis 5 days a week and called it her therapy. She looked forward to her time spent on the courts of the Deerfield Tennis Center and cherished the wonderful friendships that were made there. In 2001, on the way to a tennis tournament, Donna was hit from behind in her car and suffered a broken neck. She would remain in Jackson Memorial at the Miami Project for many months, but in the end, she was able to return to her family home.

Donna’s faith was unwavering. When she first woke up in Jackson Memorial Hospital and realized she was paralyzed she started to cry. Yet, the tears weren’t tears of sadness but of gratitude as she kept repeating how blessed she was. She was so grateful that she was able to raise all her children before the accident and that she had her husband and the support of her family.

Although Donna would live a new way of life over the next 14 years, she chose to live a very full life. Even in her wheelchair, few could keep up with her, including her husband Richard. Whether it was her ‘girl time’ at the nail salon with Jan, running errands with friends, or catching up at home with her friends and family, she was always on the go or entertaining.

She became known to many as the driveway psychiatrist on 16th street. She held court on the driveway of her family home & on most afternoons you could stop by, pull up a chair and share your life with her. She became a mentor to many, a life cheerleader to all, and a favorite to the kids in the neighborhood with her stash of candy and toys.

During the next several years her blessings continued with the birth of her 7 grandchildren. Julien, Elodie, Clementine, Gunnar, Grayson, Samantha and Olive would bring joy to her that she said she never knew existed. Her love continues to shine in each of them.

She passed on to heaven peacefully on July 31st, 2015 while surrounded by her family. In her last days she shared with her family how she lived a happy life and was thankful for getting everything she ever wanted. She told them that when she passes, all they have to do is look at their family to see her again, because that is where she will be.

Thanks be to God for giving us one of his angels here on earth who will now watch over us from the heavens above.

Celebration of life Service: St Gregory’s Episcopal Church: 100 NE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33429: Wednesday, August 12th @2pm. Please wear ‘happy colors’ to the service to celebrate Donna’s life.

Flowers can be sent to the church. Her favorites were Sunflowers, all types of Daisies, and anything with bright colors.