Grace Monroe

    OCEAN PARK Grace Althea Grimes Monroe, 95, of Ilwaco, died Monday, April 16, 2012, in Ocean Park. She was born Dec. 18, 1916, in Eugene, Ore. Growing up, Grace lived in several western Oregon communities. She attended and graduated from Cottage Grove High School.

    Grace and her family lived in Cottage Grove, Ore., where she was a homemaker and later administrative assistant to the principal of Cottage Grove High School.  Following their retirement, she and her husband, Wayne built a house in Yachats, Ore., where they lived for 10 years prior to moving to Ilwaco in 1990.  In 2010 she entered the Golden Sands Assisted Living Center.

     Throughout her adult life Grace made church and family her priorities, serving as a church organist for more than 40 years. She served on the PACE Nutrition board and was a member of Presbyterian Pioneer Circle and the Peninsula Art Association. Her pastels, watercolors, and oil paintings won many awards over the last two decades.

    Her husband of 59 years, Wayne Marvin Monroe, preceded her in death.  She is survived by two daughters, Jean Ehrhorn (Charles) of Honolulu and Ardell McPhail (Malcolm) of Ilwaco; a son, Rex Monroe (Shari) of Battleground; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, four nieces and four nephews.

    A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, April 21, at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 268 Seaview, WA 98644. Arrangements are by Penttilas  Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. Graces online guest book may be signed at www.penttilaschapel.com.