Mary R. Grimm

1918-2014

Mary Rose Grimm passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3rd, 2014, minutes after receiving final blessing from Father Michael Zaparyniuk of the St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church.

Mary was born in Ohio on April 27, 1918, to Michael and Anna (Vodhanel) Pohmurski. She was second of seven siblings who were orphaned in 1930. The children were separated, with Mary and her younger sister Helen going to the Jednota Home, a Catholic orphanage in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Mary always spoke well of her time at the orphanage, and had a life-long respect for the Sisters who ran the home. Mary and most of her siblings were later reunited, and Mary enjoyed the attention of her family and especially her nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews in her later years.

Mary was married to Paul Cunningham in 1948 and shortly thereafter moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They worked together to design and construct homes in the area. In 1950, they adopted a son, David Michael. David was the light of Mary's life, and led her to become involved with Cub Scouts, Little League, Lutheran Sunday School, and other activities. In 1991, Mary suffered the loss of David to a drunk driver. David was returning home from visiting his mother when he was killed. Mary survived this devastation by relying on her Faith and her remarkably positive outlook in all things.

Mary was later divorced and in 1982 she married Chester Grimm. They moved to the Kissimmee area, and were married until Chester's death in 2004. Although happily married, Mary often commented that she did not like to be called "Grimm" because she was happy, not grim. Mary and Chester enjoyed ballroom dancing, and Mary enjoyed outings to local casinos.

In 2004, Mary moved back to south Florida, to be near Tarry Baker, David's biological brother, and his family. Mary resided in the Wynmoor Community in Coconut Creek until 2013. Tarry predeceased Mary in 2014.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory can be made to St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, 7099 S Military Trail, Lake Worth, FL 33463. Father Michael Zaparyniuk will perform a service on Friday evening and a graveside ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11.

Mary Rose Pohmurski Cunningham Grimm