Deirdre Deedee Grimes

Rotterdam- Deirdre Ann “DeeDee” Grimes, 62, passed away at her home after a long battle with Lyme induced Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was born and raised in Schenectady NY, where she graduated from Schalmont High School in 1973. In 1976 she married Mark Grimes and together they raised three beautiful daughters. DeeDee worked as a teacher’s aid for Schalmont Central Schools for 20 years. She had a passion for teaching and truly loved “her kids”. In 1993 she was awarded “Educator of the Year” at Pine Grove Elementary School. She was actively involved in the Rotterdam Girls Softball League and spent 10 years working at General Electric (GE). All her life, she nourished the people around her. She was good humored with a quick wit; generously kind to everyone she met, and dedicated to her family and community. She touched the lives of all those around her and the world is a better place for having her in it. You will live forever in our hearts. Left behind to cherish her memory is her beloved husband of 40 years, Mark; 3 daughters Wendy, Audrey and Lyndsay, mother Doreen Hilts, sister Denise Hilts, niece Megan Aldridge, nephews Daryl and Dan Bielawski, grandson Christopher Jr. and many more loving friends and family. DeeDee was predeceased by her father Donald Hilts. Family and friends are invited to call at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam on Friday, March 17, 2017 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday March 18, 2017 at 10 am at the Cobblestone Church, 118 Putnam Road, Schenectady. Interment will be private. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers that memorial donations may be made in DeeDee’s memory to the Jefferson School Educational Programs, 100 Princetown Road, Schenectady, NY 12306 .