Gail Elizabeth Grimes

The oldest of five children, she grew up in Portland earning pocket money in the berry fields and as an A&W car hop. Gail graduated from Parkrose High School in 1963 then went on to Oregon State University, earning her degree with honors in English Education. She had met her future husband, Gary, in grade school and they married in 1967. She taught Language Arts in Seattle for two years while Gary attended UW Grad school.

Gail and Gary settled in Gresham to raise four children, making their house an open door to all the kids in the neighborhood. She encouraged her children to be active learners, from the piano to sports to reading as many books as they could carry home from the library. She was a great teacher and devoted many decades to leading Sunday School and Bible Study classes. Right now she is in Heaven, probably testing Moses’ Old Testament knowledge of who begat whom.

As a dedicated member of Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, she was renowned for her cookie decorating table at the annual Advent Workshop, studiously published the Outrigger ‘Scuttlebutt’ newsletter each month, and at the time of her passing still insisted on playing the biggest, heaviest bells in the handbell choir. She was also an active volunteer for Zarephath Soup Kitchen for many years.

In 2000 they retired to a farmhouse built by her brother on a hazelnut orchard in Dundee. Every visitor received at least one jar of her homemade jam. And they spent many fruitful years investing in their grandchildren’s lives. On July 16, 2018, she peacefully passed away there while making sure her thirsty plants were well-watered at the end of a hot day.

During her life she showed great kindness to everyone, and always worked to care for and connect with family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Scott, and daughter Casie, and is survived by her husband of almost 51 years, her sisters Lynn Johnson, Mary Estes and Jane Estes, her children Jeff and wife Nicole, Lincoln and wife Sophie, Anna Beth and husband Tommy Nagel, and five beloved grandchildren.

She will be interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham.

In lieu of a funeral service, as she never liked being the center of attention, please honor her memory by being kind to others.