Mildred Grant

Great satisfaction can be found in the meaning of relationships and in how we all play such an important role in the lives of our family and in the lives of the people we meet as we journey through life. From her early days in Grand Rapids, Michigan, through her wonderful life with her husband, Robert, and three children, to her final days as a loving grandmother, Mildred Grant knew that true hospitality begins in the heart. She enjoyed people and was a good and loyal friend to the many people she knew throughout her life. With her kind and generous heart coupled with her spirited personality, Mille brought light and life to all those within her reach.

It was in the year 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that Henry and Johanna (Smit) Stehouwer were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Mildred, on June 23rd. The 1920s were a decade in which times were drastically changing within America. Women had gained the right to vote, and although buying on credit was quickly becoming the nation’s favorite new discovery Mille always paid cash for her purchases.

Mille was one of four children and was raised in their family home on Fairfield Road on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. She enjoyed her childhood and fostered a close relationship with her Dad. As a child, Mille stomped grapes in the family’s basement as her Dad enjoyed making wine. Mille attended Oakleigh Elementary School and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High in 1940. She then went on to attend Calvin College where her spunk earned her a very brief vacation at the request of the college! During those years Mille and her friends loved to have house parties at the beach in Grand Haven. She majored in elementary education; however, after teaching for a short time, she found she liked working at the bank better and put teaching on the back burner.

Mille’s life took a new direction when she was introduced to Bob Grant through some friends. Right from the beginning, she told her mom that Bob was the one. They were happily married on June 10, 1949. The newlyweds settled into married life together in Detroit, though Bob’s job kept them on the move. From Detroit, the couple moved to Muskegon, where they welcomed the birth of their first child, John. After some time, they moved back to Grand Rapids, and were able to put down roots in a home they had built on Parmalee Road. Mille and Bob also completed their family with the births of two more children: Mary and Jim.

Eventually, Mille decided to give teaching another try and began working half days as a kindergarten teacher in the Kenowa Hills Public Schools. Once her children were older, she went to full-time and remained a dedicated teacher for many years. During this time, Mille also returned to school and earned her Masters from the University of Michigan. When summer vacation came around, Mille packed up the kids and headed to a cottage in Grand Haven, where the family enjoyed fun on the beach, relaxing family time and socializing with friends.

The Grant home was a place of pride for Mille. She kept her home clean and welcoming and loved to have friends and family over. One of her favorite pastimes was baking. Traditionally, Mille baked every Saturday morning—pies, cookies and cake—it was always important to her, even to the end, that she had something sweet to offer guests. She and Bob loved to socialize with their many friends. Usually one night a weekend, they mingled with friends, trading off between their houses and enjoying food and games together. While raised in LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, together with Bob, Mille was a longtime member of Bethany Reformed Church where she enjoyed participating in guilds.

In her leisure time, Mille had plenty of hobbies and interests to keep her busy. Whether it was playing bridge, doing needlework—knitting and cross-stitch were her favorites—playing the piano, or doing other crafts, she always kept her hands busy. She was an excellent seamstress and taught her daughter how to sew and do needlework as well. Mille was also an avid reader. It wasn’t unusual to see her working on a project while reading a book. Always organized, she loved to put together family gatherings and host them, too. Mille enjoyed nice things. Her philosophy was it was better to have a “few quality things” than many things of lesser quality. Her wardrobe reflected this. She dressed very fashionably, always a lady, and for many years had her hair done weekly.

Mille led an active life throughout her retirement. She loved to travel with Bob and her friends. She especially enjoyed the Caribbean and Nantucket Island in keeping with her love of the beach. Mille loved to spend time with her grandchildren and was always there for them when needed. The last few years had been difficult for Mille though, as she lost her beloved husband Robert in 2001, as well as several good friends. Her health began to slow her down, and communicating became difficult, which was terribly hard for a social butterfly like Mille. For the last several years she lived at Raybrook Manor, and it was there that she passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at the age of 88.

A true friend, Mille was one of those very special people you hope you will have the good fortune to meet one day. She will be dearly missed and remembered always by all who knew and loved her.

Mille was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her sisters, Miriam TerMeer and Phyllis Stehouwer, and her brother, William Stehouwer. Mille is survived by her children: John and Rita Grant, Mary and Jay Wortley, Jim and Jayne Grant; grandchildren: Sara Grant, Michael Grant, Marisa Wortley, Emily Wortley, Grant Wortley, Laura Grant and Steve Grant.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 24, at 4 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, where friends may visit with her family from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. Private interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Holland Home. Please visit Mille’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory with her family or sign the online guest book.