Grant, Winona Naomii Richards 08/09/1919 ~ 04/16/2014 SAN DIEGO — Winona Naomii Richards Grant, age 94, passed away April 16, 2014.
Born August 9, 1919 to Alf Boulds Richards and Minnie Matilda Knudson Richards in Clifford, North Dakota. She is survived by her son, Alan Grant of San Diego; daughter, Naomi (Dave) Hartley of Washington State; daughter, Mary Grant of Poway; and grandsons, Ryan Bolonesi of Houston, Alex Bolonesi of Seattle, Andrew Frederickson of Pomona, and Greg Frederickson, San Diego. Winona was predeceased by her parents; sister, Mona Wood; brother, Alf Richards, and former husband and the father of her children, Floyd M. Grant.
At the age of 10, Winona and her family moved to La Mesa, CA. She graduated in 1937 from Grossmont High School, La Mesa, CA where she was an active student body leader. After high school Winona continued her busy life:
She had numerous jobs to put herself through college including part time work at the Rexall Drug Store in La Mesa and teaching private flute students. Spent many summers as a counselor at Girl Scout Camp Tapawingo in the Cuyamaca Mountains, where she created many lifelong friendships! Graduated San Diego State College 1943, teaching degree. Taught PE and music. School counselor San Dieguito Jr/Sr High School and Dana Jr High.
Concurrent to teaching, Winona earned Master’s Degree from Claremont Graduate School, Pomona, CA, included courses taken at Northwestern University near Chicago, Illinois. She loved teaching and excelled in her school counselor role. Taught until 1952.
Married in 1948 and had three children, who were the center of her world. Winona was an exceptional human being, gracious and giving. In college, she was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, music sorority, at SD State.
After college, she was a member (flute) of the San Diego Symphony. She enjoyed playing in musical groups and ensembles throughout her life. Was always the consummate teacher of flute, piano, and voice/choir. She was active in the La Mesa Congregational Church early in her life. When she moved to Chula Vista, Winona joined the Community Congregational Church, where she served in many capacities for over 65 years. Her volunteering extended to every PTA leadership role possible of her children’s schools in including Ella B Allen Elementary, Hilltop Junior and Hilltop High Schools all in Chula Vista.
For many years, Winona was a youth and adult leader for Camp Fire Girls of San Diego County and Chula Vista Job’s Daughters. As her children grew, immersed in their school music programs, Winona devoted herself in support of them as a Hilltop High and Junior High Band Booster. When her children were grown, Winona found it necessary to return to work. Her passion for music, flute and teaching combined and she continued her lifelong love as a flute teacher. Students in La Mesa (McCrea’s Music Studio) and Chula Vista, alike, benefited from Winona’s dedication to their musical and life-skills development. She formed many ‘flute choirs’ with her students and took them to perform all over San Diego County. She introduced her students to professional standards of learning and performance, teaching them attention to detail and perseverance along with support and compassion. Winona was also able to continue her own flute playing well into her later years with her flute ensemble, “The Grace Notes.” Winona was a member of the San Diego Local Federation of Musicians Union, American Association of University Women, Chula Vista Women’s Club, and the South County Retired Teachers Association.
Winona was the recipient of many service and volunteer awards. One recent acknowledgement she received was the City of Chula Vista proclaiming August 9, 2009 as “Winona Grant Day” in Chula Vista.
In addition to her family, Winona leaves many friends behind with wonderful memories of a generous, kind and compassionate woman who was never too busy to take care of others’ needs before her own. Please know that she is smiling from Heaven now at peace; Winona was always thankful for her friends, cousins and family and did all she could to help anybody any time. Visitation will be held at Glen Abbey Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902, on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Memorial service and reception will be held at the Chula Vista Community Congregational Church, 276 F St., Chula Vista, CA 91910 (619) 427- 0514, Saturday, May 3 at 11:30 AM. Burial and graveside service will follow at Greenwood Mortuary. The family wishes to thank the staff at Sunshine Care in Poway and Fredericka Manor in Chula Vista for compassionate and loving care. The family requests if you are of a mind and in Winona’s memory, go to a symphony concert, listen to a flute playing or help a child for the sheer joy of the blessings they provide.
Friends wishing to make a donation in Winona’s memory are encouraged to donate to The Scholarship Fund of The San Diego Flute Guild (SDFG), PO Box 720844, San Diego, CA 92172. sandiegofluteguild.org As Mom would say, “Love and blessings upon you and may you have a perfect “A-440″ Day!”