Toby Grimm

Toby Grimm, age 89, of Grants Pass, went to be with the Lord August 3, 2021 at her home.

Toby was born May 7, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Casper & Mary Kitnick. In 1950 she graduated from high school in Los Angeles, California. At age 16 she met Norman L. Shapiro and they married in 1951and together they raised four children before divorcing in 1975.

As her children were growing up, the family experience many mini-trips, breakfasts at Bob’s Big Boy on Sundays, Scouts, Little League. She loved being a mom. She also became a respiratory therapist, which she enjoyed very much. Her last position before retirement was at Cedar-Sinai in Los Angeles.

In 1976 she met Leonard Grimm at their apartment complex in West Covina, California. They moved to Santa Monica, California where they lived for six months before marrying on September 16, 1977. In 1984 they retired and moved to Grants Pass. They joined Newcomers, YMCA, Red Hats, and volunteered with the hospital auxiliary.

Toby loved people and enjoyed socializing and entertaining at her house, going to lunch, and family Holiday celebrations.

Toby enjoyed movies with friends, and a long-time New Year’s tradition was to go to dinner, then the movies, and back to her house for snacks. Toby and Len traveled the world and loved to share stories of travels with family and friends. One particular trip to Israel they were robbed in a set-up by young teenagers by the wailing wall. Surrounded the youth had them put their hands up, took Len’s wallet and left. Len knew better and never had much cash, just in case. It was a very upsetting experience for them.

Toby always wanted the best for everyone and always stayed positive.

Survivors include children Phyl Sharrard and husband Dave of Grants Pass, Gerry Shapiro and wife Polly of Port Orchard, Washington, Marty Shapiro of Grants Pass; nephew Dennis Silver of Cedar City, Utah; nieces Michelle Tyler of California and Heather Patterson of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren Wyatt, Jessica, Matthew, Paul, Christopher, Elizabeth and Crystal; great-grandchildren Jeremiah, Isabella, Josiah, Renee, Brandon, Bella, and Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leonard Grimm on July 31, 2011; son Raymond Shapiro; brother Arthur Kitnick; and sister Rosalie Hall.