Candace Patton Grim

Candace P. Grim Entiat, WA Candace P. Grim died August 8, 2009 after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. She was born March 15, 1947 in Portland, Oregon to Chester and Marjorie Patton. She moved to the coastal town of Tillamook, Oregon from the age of 4 until age 11. The town held such a special place in her heart that her family visited each summer to lunch at the cheese factory. Her family returned to Portland where she completed her high school education at Lincoln High in 1965. Candy attended Oregon State University and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She went on to get her Master's Degree in Special Education from Portland State University in 1970. On July 19, 1969 she went on a blind date where she met the love of her life, Bruce. Their whirlwind romance lead to a June 20, 1970, wedding at Ascension Chapel in Portland, Oregon. They made their first home in Salem, Oregon where Candy worked as a teacher at Hillcrest School of Oregon for court committed juvenile girls while putting Bruce through his final two years of law school. The couple welcomed their two daughters, Allison and Sarah, before deciding on a change of lifestyles and careers. In 1980, they moved to Wenatchee to take over the family's apple and pear orchards in Entiat. Candy's biggest regret about moving was that the timing coincided with Nordstrom's opening of a store in Salem! In Wenatchee, Candy was busy raising two daughters yet found time to be involved in many of the community's activies: PTO, Hospital Guild, and the Apple Blossom Festival. Volunteering and childrearing gave her time to enjoy hobbies like smocking, sewing, and knitting, trying to rub off some of these creative juices on her children. In 1989, Candy returned to teaching as a Special Education Teacher at Eastmont Junior High School. This position brought equal amounts of rewards and challenges to Candy's life and she headed into each new school year with a renewed sense of excitement for her students' lives ?" both in and out of the classroom. Candy and Bruce relocated their 'empty nest' to their Sears, Roebuck catalogue house ?" circa 1932 - they had remodeled in Entiat in 1995. Gardening became Candy's new passion especially as she prepared her yard for Allison and Will's wedding in 1999. It was becoming increasing difficult to find an area to plant new plants or bulbs due to the lovely array of cottage-style flowers that were taking up every square foot of yard space. Try as she might to become the orchard expert, Candy's "knowledge" left not only her family but often herself in giggles over her attention to detail which lead to the moniker Mrs. Orchard. In 2007 Candy was overjoyed with her new next door neighbor, her pride and joy, the new 'man' in her life, her grandson, Grant. Their bond grew early from midnight comforting, to late afternoon rocking on the porch, visiting the dogs, "working" in the flowers, and finally their "Nona play ambulance" game. Our family wishes to express our deep gratitude and thanks to Dr. Mandy Robertson and her staff as well as the delightfully lovely nurses in the Infusion Room at WVMC for their kindness, respect, and friendship during the past few months. These ladies made a difficult situation more tolerable and they will hold a very special place in our hearts. In addition, our family is so very grateful to the Eastmont School District for all of their generosity, prayers, friendship and support during Candy's illness. Candy will be deeply missed by her husband of 39 years, Bruce Grim, daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Will Chisholm, grandson, Grant Chisholm, and daughter, Sarah Grim. Candy is also survived by a sister, Ann Duffin, and two brothers, Byron Patton and William Patton. Candy was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Marjorie Patton and brother, Grant B. Patton. A Memorial Service will be held at Eastmont Junior High School on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 10:00 with a reception to follow in the school library, one of Candy's favorite places. Friends and family are encouraged to bring their morning coffee; it is difficult to imagine Candy arriving at school without her Starbuck's in hand! Memorials in her name in lieu of flowers can be made to the Eastmont High School Scholarship Fund for special education students.

Candace Patton Grim

March 15, 1947 - August 8, 2009