Sister Jo Donna Grimes

Sister Jo Donna Grimes, a longtime administrator and educator, mostly in the St. Louis Archdiocese, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, of complications after a stroke at St. Anthony's Medical Center in south St. Louis County. She was 75.

Sister Grimes taught at elementary schools in St. Louis, Manchester and Alton almost 15 years, until she took an administrative position in 1966.

Over the next 36 years, Sister Grimes was principal at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Hebron, Neb., Our Lady of Sorrows in St. Louis, and St. Martin of Tours in south St. Louis County.

In 1984 she helped start Queen of All Saints School in south St. Louis County and served as its first principal. Sister Grimes retired in 2002 but continued as a substitute teacher at various schools in the St. Louis area, including Notre Dame Preschool on the campus of School Sisters of Notre Dame.

A native of Cape Girardeau, she graduated from St. Mary's High School then entered the congregation of School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1950, and professed her final vows in 1959.

She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the former Notre Dame College in St. Louis County in 1961 and a master's degree in elementary administration in 1968 from St. Louis University.

Survivors include a brother, Montey (Liz) Grimes of Cape Girardeau; two nephews, Jeffery (Valerie) Grimes of St. Louis, Mark (Misty) Grimes of Cape Girardeau; two great-nephews, Matthew and Phillip Grimes of St. Louis; and a great-niece, Kolby Grimes of Cape Girardeau.

Funeral Mass was held Jan. 3 at the School Sisters of Notre Dame Motherhouse Chapel in St. Louis. Burial was in Motherhouse Cemetery.