Kathryn M. Grimes

Nov. 25, 1965-July 28, 2020

Kathryn Marie Grimes, 54, passed away July 28, 2020. The cause was complications from metastatic breast cancer. She was born in Detroit, Michigan to George Hiram Grimes and Marlene Janet (Miller) Babb, but had adopted Saint Paul, Minnesota as her home.

Kathryn was a force of nature and a fiercely loving and devoted mother and wife. Erudite, with a sharp wit, she was a delightful raconteur and master of the well placed expletive. Her sources of joy were traveling, being in nature, and spending time with her family and many friends including longtime co-conspirators Robin Moir,  Lila Granda and Laura Kelleher. A longstanding tradition in Kathryn's travels was the Grimes Girls annual birthday trip, where Kathryn and her sisters would celebrate milestones together in various travel destinations.

She was generous with her love, friendship, and expertise. Music held a special place in her life, especially performed live—from folk to opera and much in between. At different times in her life she was also a musician and singer. A long-time resident of St. Paul's West Side, Kathryn and Bob lovingly restored their home, raised their daughter, Delia, cultivated their gardens, and lovingly sustained and grew their home of 27 years.  A prodigious reader, as a child she would hide books on her lap at the dinner table. Kathryn was a principled and hard worker who mentored many people throughout her life.

A graduate of Grosse Pointe North High School, Kathryn earned a B.A. in English and history from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a M.A. in English from the University of Chicago.

Kathryn's career accomplishments include: a Director of Strategic Communications and Outreach, University of Minnesota; Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, Northwestern Health Sciences University; Marketing and Communications Director, Minnesota Historical Society; Marketing Director, MBI Publishing Company LLC; and Director for Marketing and Outreach, University of Minnesota Press.

Kathryn is survived by her husband of 29 years Bob Breck and her 20-year-old daughter, Delia Breck Grimes; sisters, Beth Ann (Jeff) Thompson, Laurel Grimes (Jim) Horman; nieces and nephews Ben (Lindsey) Thompson, Olivia (Joe Johnson) Thompson, Alexandra Horman, Cole Horman, Gloria and Samuel Breck; her mother, Marlene Babb and the entire extended Miller Family; extended family Robin A. (Kevin Henninger) Moir,  John (Tanisha) Moir, and Olga Moir. Kathryn was predeceased by her father, George.

Due to COVID-19, no in-person memorial service is currently planned, however a virtual wake will take place on Friday, August 7 2020 online ( please RSVP here if you would like to attend ). Private interment ceremonies will be held in Minnesota (at Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN) and Grand Rapids, Michigan. In the future, Kathryn asked that friends and family gather to have cocktails, dance, and have fun on her behalf. Notification of events will be made on Facebook at facebook.com/kathryngrimes

Donations in lieu of flowers are suggested to: