Marya Stefania Grimes

Marya Stefania Grimes, 94, of East Lansing, died October 2, 2017, at Burcham Hills Center. She was born March 20, 1923, in Kalamazoo, to John and Stefania (Klosinska) Dzialowski, who immigrated from Poland. Marya always had a strong interest in the natural world, and delighted in the small things, like mushrooms and ferns, caterpillars and little birds. She had a love of reading, and especially appreciated good literature. She played cello in school and maintained a lifelong love of classical music. An accomplished seamstress, she even attended evening classes in couture sewing. She studied counted cross stitch and produced many fine samplers and designs in cross stitch. She graduated top of her class from high school, and went on to attend Western Michigan University. As many women did in those days she supported her husband in graduate school, then stayed home to raise her two children. Later she worked in a bookstore, and then in Rutgers University Alexander Library, rising to head the circulation department, where she was so well-liked that her coworkers sent her on a once-in-a-lifetime retirement trip to London, England. Her favorite place there was Kew Gardens. She went home to Michigan and retired to East Lansing, near her daughter, where she pursued reading good books, listening to good music, and working cross stitch. Marya was preceded in death by her former husband, R. Merwin Grimes and by three siblings: Mieczyslaw, Chester, and Stefania (Robert Rue). She is survived by one sister, Janina Wait, of Allegan; two children: Peggy Wolf (Patrick), of East Lansing and James Grimes (Roberta Martinez), of Pasadena; four grandchildren: Katherine, Thomas, Matthew, and Theresa; and three great-grandchildren: Liliana, Araceli, and Rowan. Marya directed that no services be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marya’s name to your favorite library. Messages of condolence may be given at www.greastlansing.com