Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW John Lennon Tour Bus teaches North Medford students about music recording ... State bill would bar medical pot grows in rural residential zones ... Bates' suction-dredge bill dies in committee ... John Lennon Tour Bus teaches North Medford students about music recording ... State bill would bar medical pot grows in rural residential zones ... Bates' suction-dredge bill dies in committee ... Virginia Ann Smith Grant Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 2:00 AM Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News Virginia “Ginny” Grant passed away February 14, 2016. It was fitting that she left this earth to be with the love of her life, her late husband, Art, on Valentine’s Day. Virginia Ann Smith Grant was born July 6, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio to George D. and Lillian Gram Smith. She was the middle child of three and her older sister, Eleanor Gross, and her younger brother, Warren G. “Bud” Smith, have preceded her in death. Ginny grew up in the Shaker Heights area of Cleveland. After high school she graduated in 1946 from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Western Reserve in Cleveland with her registered nursing degree. It was at her first job as a nurse at Hines V.A. Hospital in Chicago that she met her husband, Arthur Eugene Grant. Art was a ward boy and though Ginny contended she would “never go out with a lowly ward boy” Art’s persistence paid off. Art left the ranks of the “lowly ward boys” and began medical school at Loyola School of Medicine in Chicago. Ginny and Art were married and after Ginny became pregnant, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio to live with Ginny’s parents. Art transferred to and graduated from Western Reserve Medical School before joining the U.S. Army. It was in Cleveland on October 20, 1948 that their first of three sons, David Michael Grant, was born. Ginny and Art were then stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colo. where their second son, Stephen Douglas Grant, was born April 23, 1951. Their next orders took them to San Francisco, Calif. and Letterman General Hospital where their third son, Peter Alan Grant was born April 21, 1955. Ginny’s energy and penchant for serving others was evident throughout her life. When she and Art were transferred to Germany, Ginny saw a need and singlehandedly established the first childcare center on the U.S. Army base in Stuttgart, Germany in 1958. Ginny and Art were next stationed in San Antonio, Texas where they lived for 46 years. Because of her training as a nurse, medical volunteering came easily to her and she did this for a number of years in different hospitals in the San Antonio area. She also enjoyed being a den leader in Cub Scouts, volunteering in tennis tournaments and other sporting activities, and serving on numerous committees and in leadership roles in medical and community settings. Ginny’s superior organizational abilities and her leadership skills led to her becoming president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Medical Auxiliary in the 1970s. Ginny had a love for others, and a big heart, which prompted her to invite military recruits who were away from their families, to have Thanksgiving dinner at the Grant home; to provide lodging and meals for visiting tennis players in local tennis tournaments; and to provide lodging and meals for foreign exchange students and good will ambassadors from Up With People. (Growing up in the Grant home, you never knew who might be sleeping in the next room, or who would be seated at the table for dinner, but you knew that your Mother had a love of serving others.) Ginny was an avid bridge player throughout her adult life and was playing and organizing bridge groups even in the last years of her life. Ginny was known for her outgoing personality and was usually the “life of the party” wherever she went. She enjoyed having a good time, but even more, she enjoyed helping others to have a good time. Ginny had the unique ability to make others feel comfortable and welcomed, especially when they were new to the community. She knew the value of a smile and always tried to be positive and uplifting to others. Ginny was the type of person others liked to be around. Art and Ginny moved to Medford in December 2006 to be closer to their sons. They took up residence at Anna Maria Creekside where they found a whole new family of friends. Ginny continued to volunteer her time by serving on the Resident Council and the Dining Committee. Friendships continued to flourish around the bridge table throughout her 9½ years at Anna Maria. Art passed away in April 2007 and though Ginny missed him greatly, her positive attitude and loving spirit continued in her role as matriarch of the Grant family. In her own words, Ginny described her grandchildren as her “particular joys” and her “special friends." No matter the distance, Grandma (also known as “Mamoo”) was always there with birthday cards, words of wisdom, and loving comfort when needed. She particularly enjoyed attending anything the grandchildren were involved in, especially sporting events. As a wife, Ginny loved and supported Art in many ways. In addition to maintaining their home and nurturing their children, Ginny continued in her volunteer work and leadership roles in the community and was still able to support Art in his professional career. It is said that “behind every great man is a great woman” and Ginny provided the greatest example of this. Ginny is survived by her three sons David and his fiancée, Lisa of Medford, Ore., Stephen and his wife, Jennifer of Albuquerque, N.M., and Peter and his wife, Joan of Medford, Ore; her 15 grandchildren, Ben, Tegan, Toby, Claire Delgado, Tansy, Douglas, Charlotte Coates, Ben, Sam, Bethany, Jessica Heiner, Collin, Austin, Keenan, and Weston; nine great-grandchildren, Liam, Courtlandt, Micah, Naomi, NikiKate, Harley, Joseph, Elsie, and Andrew. She was preceded in death by her two grandchildren, Stewart and Morgan; and her great-grandchild, Tyler. As a mother and grandmother, Ginny was an inspiration and an example of kindness, generosity, and unconditional love. In any situation she found a way to buoy her children and grandchildren up with guidance, comfort, and her loving embrace. Her legacy of selfless service, kindness, and unconditional love will live on in her posterity. A memorial service in her honor and to celebrate her life will be conducted at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, February 27, 2016 at The Springs at Anna Maria, 822 Golf View Dr. Medford, Ore. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s School, 816 Black Oak Dr., Medford, Ore. 97504. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501