Helen Grinyer

Helen Lynch Grinyer, 91, a Riverside resident since 1961 passed away on November 5, 2014 after suffering a series of strokes. She was born in Rosedale, West Virginia, on February 21, 1923, and moved six years later with her family to Colorado Springs, CO. There she attended St. Mary’s School for 12 years, graduating with top honors and a scholarship to the Seton School of Nursing in 1941. After graduating as a Registered Nurse from Seton, she enlisted in the U. S. Army Nursing Corps and served as a Second Lieutenant at Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver, CO during the closing months of World War II. During this period she met her husband-to-be, Captain Burton R. Grinyer of the Army Air Corps. They married in September, 1945, and she spent the next fifteen years as an Air Force wife following him from station to station. As a military wife, she moved the family to Alaska; Washington, DC; Texas; Tripoli, Libya and Maryland until he retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1960. During this period, she bore seven children all of whom survive her and mourn her passing.

When Burt retired, they moved the family to Riverside, California, where they lived together until his death in July, 2001. They were happily married for 55 years. During this time she worked for 20 years as a Registered Nurse, mostly at Riverside Community Hospital, where she specialized in Obstetrical and Medical/Surgical nursing. After retiring she volunteered for many years at the hospital until failing health made it impossible for her to do so. She was a member of the Goeske Senior Center, the Riverside Community Hospital Auxilliary, the Nightingales Club, and the Retired Officers Wives Club. She passed away at the Sunrise Senior Living center in Riverside.

She is survived by her seven children, Mark Grinyer and his wife Diana; Mary Grinyer; Richard Grinyer and his wife Carol; Walter Grinyer and his wife Janet; Diane Grinyer Kang; Jean Grinyer Thill and her husband Alan; and Nora Grinyer-Ward and her husband Larry. Additional survivors include 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her brothers and sisters and by her parents Edward J. Lynch and Mary C. Lynch.

Her life will be celebrated at a Funeral Mass held in Riverside at her long-time parish, St. Catherine’s of Alexandria, at 11:30 AM on Thursday, November 13, 2014. Interment services will be held that afternoon at the Riverside National Cemetary at 1:30 PM. Attendees are invited to a Celebration of Life that will be held immediately afterwards at the home of Walter and Jan Grinyer. Memorial gifts may be sent on behalf of Helen Grinyer to the Acheson and Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside CA 92504. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Nightingale Club, 4677 Braemar Place 2, Riverside, CA 92501, or to the Riverside Community Hospital Auxilliary at 4445 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92501.

Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who treated everyone with kindness and respect. She will be missed by all.