Mary Louise Rice Grimes

Mary Louise peacefully passed away Wednesday August 21, 2013 in her home at Glenmoor Resort Retirement Community. She lived a very happy and productive 96 years. Well, she might say that 95 of those years were happy and productive, not so sure about the last one. She led a full life with no “I wish I had done that”. She was the happiest when she and her husband Leo were cruising the east coast of the US and the Bahamas aboard the OL-OM. Some of her happiest times were playing a violin in the Jacksonville Youth Orchestra, hearing a concert by her twin great granddaughters on a cello and having a violin in her room. She loved watching her Dad and brothers play baseball, and seeing her grandsons enjoying soccer, and lacrosse. She started out in her early adult life as a successful legal assistant upon graduation from Andrew Jackson High School and was able to attend her children and grandchildren’s’ graduation from college. She developed an early love of sewing and cherished seeing the delight in the eyes of her 7 great grandchildren as they saw the needlepoint stockings that hung on Christmas morning. Known for her needlepoint talent, many of her friends enjoyed the beautiful eyeglasses cases she made. Both Glenmoor and Ortega United Methodist Church chapel kneelers and piano bench seats were a gift of love from Mary Louise.

Family was the center of her life and it started with her Mother and Father, Morrison and Cathyrn Rice, on West 65th Street n Jacksonville with her sisters, Cathyrn and Elizabeth, brothers Morrison Jr and Barron. She rejoined her husband, parents, brothers, and sisters on Wednesday.

Those remembering her the most are her daughter, Mary Ann Seward of Peachtree City GA and her three sons, Wes, Chris and Madison; her son, Thomas L. Grimes and daughter-in law, Becky, of Amelia Island and their sons Tom Grimes (Melissa), twin granddaughters Ann and Betsy of Memphis TN, Ken Grimes (Sarah Todd), daughter Stella of Charleston SC; Michael O’Leary (Melissa), daughter Lillian Beam of Jacksonville; and Chris O’Leary (Nicole), daughters Aileen and Clara, son Sean of Sterling VA, plus a host of nieces and nephews that will miss Mom, Gambum, Noni, Aunt Bea, or Grandma. All are better for knowing her love, direction, and cookies. Yes, even a special group of tennis players returned the emptied can of Mary Louise’s chocolate chip cookies for refills regularly.

Her upbringing in the Methodist Church taught her to serve not only her church but also her community. She loved serving food at the Salvation Army facilities in Jacksonville and Crystal Lake and having fun at St Vincent’s Medical Center Information Desk and the Gift Shop where Mary Louise was recognized for her 20,000 volunteer hours. A grand person, loving and devoted wife, exceptional daughter, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, Mary Louise did it all with grace, etiquette, acceptance of only the best, and lots of love!

Graveside services will be held in Evergreen Cemetery at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 24, 2013 with Pastor Daniel Casselberry, officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to The Rotary Foundation, The Members Association of Glenmoor for Employee Scholarships, or Hartland Hospice.

Words of comfort can be left at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 4115 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 346-3808.