Contoocook, NH

Delores Mae (Ernst) Grieff, 86, of Contoocook, NH died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on April 27, 2011 after a brief illness.

Born in Eyota, MN, she was one of Lloyd and Christine Ernst’s ten children.  Growing up on a farm in a loving family, she joined the US Navy after graduating from Rochester High School.  There she served her country as a Seaman First Class.  After her honorable discharge from the Navy, Dee worked for the Civil Service in Alabama.  On a visit to NJ to her Navy best friend’s home she met her future husband, John Grieff, an Army veteran. 

After their marriage, she and John built a home together in Raritan, NJ where she insisted on hammering nails while 9 months pregnant.  After her children were in school she returned to work.  Dee worked for the civil service in Bellemeade, NJ before taking a position at RCA.  Dee was the first woman promoted to foreman at the RCA plant in Somerville, NJ.  She retired in 1977.  She out fished her husband in retirement in Myrtle Beach, once landing a shark over 200 lbs. off a fishing pier.  An avid gardener, seamstress, cook, expert bowler, pinochle player, bird lover and reader, she also loved the beach, lobster and ice cream.  In 2005, at age 80, Dee came out of retirement to become her daughter Joni’s legal secretary in her new law practice.  Dee had never worked in a law office before, but she quickly learned how to efficiently run the office, and the clients loved her, calling her “Mom.” Dee was elegant, generous, sweet, independent and loved her family.  That love was returned to her by a huge extended family and friends locally as well as from all over the US and Canada.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in NJ, the Golden Group of Hopkinton, the Contoocook United Methodist Church, and especially loved her women’s bible study group.  She is a founding member of the US Women’s War Memorial in Washington and was a member of the Contoocook American Legion Post 81. She met the MENSA criteria.  Her husband, twin daughters, Lynda and Lynnette, and a grandson, Ian Esperian, predecease her. 

She is survived by her son Paul Grieff of AZ, by her daughters Christine Grieff of Hollis, NH, and Joni Esperian of Contoocook, NH, by her granddaughter Lana Silsbe and grandson Aaron Silsbe, both of AZ.  She is survived by her sisters Arleen Whitcomb of Eyota, MN and Marilyn Kiefer of Juneau, AK.  She is survived by her brothers Darrell Ernst of Vorhees, NJ and Burton Ernst of Deer Park, WA.

Delores lived in service of others; giving generously to those in need. The family would appreciate that in lieu of flowers, you might consider doing something similar to honor her.

Calling hours will be held Friday May 6, 2011 from 6 – 9 PM in the Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service Henniker, NH.

Service will be held Saturday May 7, 2011 at 1 :00 PM at Contoocook United Methodist Church, Contoocok, NH, followed by a graveside burial with military honors at Blackwater Cemetery in Contoocook, NH.

For more log on to www.holtwoodburyfh.com

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