Ninfa Marie Grinnell

Grinnell, Ninfa M.  MONONA/MADISON-Ninfa Marie Scalissi was born in Madison on Dec. 12, 1923, to Giorgio and Elizabeth (Licali) Scalissi, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1904 from Piana degli Albanese, Sicily.  Raised in the heart of Madison's Greenbush neighborhood, Ninfa was the 8th of 11 children: Mary, Joseph, John, Josephine, Fanny, Vito, Theodore (Ted), Ninfa, Sally, Betty and George. Ninfa's earliest memories can be best described as rich with Italian traditions, where family and the preservation of culture were significant and memorable aspects of her young life.  In her early teens, she performed in costume as an Italian dancer at summer picnics and other events. She also enjoyed playing baseball as a child, sometimes taunting the batters-up as catcher, and sometimes being met with negative consequences!  She listened to the Milwaukee Braves on the radio and was able to rattle off the starting lineup like it was yesterday. She loved all genres of music from opera to rock and roll. After graduating in 1941 from Madison Central High School, Ninfa pursued secretarial work, and was employed by the Crane Company and later for the State of Wisconsin. In January, 1946, Richard M. Grinnell, her high school sweetheart, returned from World War II, having served in both the Eastern and Pacific Theaters. They married five months later in June, 1946 at Luther Memorial Church in Madison and lived in Ninfa's childhood home on the corner of Park and Regent Streets. It was there that the newly-married couple had their first child, Richard Jr. in May, 1947. The new family then moved to a small house on Badger Road (now Moorland Road) in Madison, which was at that time considered the outskirts of town.  Ninfa spent this time raising her young son, tending to the house and managing a large parcel of land with a large garden. In 1958, the family moved to a three-bedroom ranch near Schluter Beach in Monona. Shortly thereafter, Richard received an employment opportunity which brought the family to Evergreen Park, Ill. Needless to say, Ninfa did not enjoy the new environment, often returning to Madison (which she affectionately referred to as "furloughs") to visit her family. In 1963, the family moved back to their house in Monona at which time daughter, Laurie Jane was born in May, 1964. Ninfa and Dick loved Monona life and spent the rest of their lives together there. After Dick's death in 1999, Ninfa enjoyed spending time going for long walks (in hot pursuit of Cheetos and scratch cards) and had her head in the newspapers meticulously completing all of the daily puzzles contained therein while enjoying a good cup of coffee with nephew, Ross. She continued to be an active member of the Italian-American Women's Club and looked forward to their monthly meetings the first Wednesday of the month. In 2011, she had the honor of being IAWC's Woman of the Year. In 2009, she moved from the house to Frostwoods Commons Senior Apartments in Monona. In addition to living alongside her sister, she made many new friends there and lived as independently as possible under the watchful eye of sister Sally and special friend, Emma. Her 90th birthday was celebrated during this time when she attended the Paul McCartney concert at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Despite the 100-degree heat that night, Ninfa never skipped a beat (pun intended). In 2015, it became necessary to move to an environment that provided more care for Ninfa, so in late fall she moved to Brookdale Madison North Assisted Living Community where every day was met by the smiling faces of staff and residents there. Ninfa lived at Brookdale until her death on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Ninfa was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four sisters; five brothers; nieces and nephews; sisters and brothers-in law; and her godchild, Peggy Runey Badker. She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Grinnell (Mark Dorn) of Madison; son, Richard Grinnell, Jr. (Yvonne) of Kalamazoo, Mich.; sister, Sally Ward of Monona; and many nieces and nephews who live from coast to coast and many friends . As we say goodbye to Ninfa, a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul, we share the following parting words: “OH, HONESTLY". The family will be planning a get-together (as Ninfa always called them, we called them parties) later this summer to celebrate this most wonderful woman.  Recognizing the importance of preserving, promoting and protecting Italian -American heritage, values and traditions, donations in Ninfa's memory can be made to: IAWC, 4226 Beverly Rd., Madison, WI 53711. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive 608-221-5420