Published in the March 23, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Keville) McGrimley, 91, of Melrose and Beverly, died at the Windham Terrace Assisted Living in Windham, New Hampshire on March 17, 2017. Betty was born in Boston, raised in Revere and was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1943. She graduated from the Newton Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1946. Betty went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Boston College School of Nursing in 1949 and her master’s degree in education/biology from Boston University in 1964. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Sigma Theta Tau. She was an educational director at the Whidden Hospital in Everett and a science instructor at the Salem Hospital, Chelsea Hospital and Lynn Hospital’s School of Nursing. Betty retired from nursing after 12 years in the Terminal Care Unit of the Jamaica Plain Veteran Medical Center in Boston. She was an avid reader who loved advanced puzzles and wrote a book on crypto quotes. Betty was a member and daily parishioner at the Incarnation Church in Melrose, and enjoyed camping, baking and making Mexican wedding cakes, stuffed mushrooms and had the “best chocolate chip cookies.” She and her husband loved to travel cross country and take trips to Bermuda, Hawaii and all over the Caribbean. Betty was the beloved wife of the late George W. McGrimley, Sr. for over 42 years. She was the loving mother of Dr. William McGrimley and his wife Deborah of New York; Laura McDonough of Swampscott; Mariann Kopecki and her husband David of New York; Mallory McGrimley of Wenham; George McGrimley of Danvers; and the late Judith Zura. She was the caring sister of the late Joseph Keville, Jr., Frank Keville and Dr. Richard Keville. She was the cherished grandmother of Jennie, Sean, Jeremy, Conor, Mallory, Mark, Michael, Erin and Blaise. She was the great grandmother of Hunter, Noah, Connor, Davis, Elijah and Koa. She was the sister-in-law of Virginia Keville of Salem. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St., Melrose on Wednesday, March 22. Burial in Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Caregivers of Greater Derry, 1B Commons Dr., Unit #10, Londonderry, NH 03053 (www.comcaregivers.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. For directions and to sign an online condolence, visit www.gatelyfh.com.
