Anne "Brownell, VanCamp" Marie Grinstine

Anne Marie (Brownell, VanCamp) Grinstine, also known as “Grannie Annie,” passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 7, 2018, in Lacey, Washington, where she was born on April 21, 1941, to Edwin and Catherine Brownell. Anne Marie was the oldest of 13 children. She was caring and understanding, and had a kind smile and caring touch. She graduated from North Thurston High School in 1959. Anne Marie then met her first husband, Melvin Ray VanCamp, and they moved to Bremerton, Washington, where he worked at the Naval Shipyard. They had two daughters together, Tina and Kelly. Several years later in 1973, Melvin passed away unexpectedly and Anne Marie and the girls moved to Olympia, Washington, to be near family and friends. In 1974, Anne Marie met her second husband, George Grinstine, and they were married on October 28, 1974, in Lacey, and later had a son, Matthew. Anne Marie spent her life being a wife and mother, supporting and being there through good times and those not so good times, and she loved her children dearly. When Tina and Kelly were in 4-H, she would attend all of their competitions as she loved watching them compete with their horses. When her son, Matthew, raced stock cars, she was there every Saturday night cheering him on. Anne Marie also loved her flowers, day trips on a Saturday or Sunday, being with her children, grandchildren and great grandchild, family gatherings with her brothers and sisters, and a bowl of ice cream in the evening. She loved life in her own way and was a very special person who would make anybody feel at home. Anne Marie is preceded in death by her mother and father, Edwin and Catherine Brownell; brothers, Eddie Brownell and Paul Brownell; and her first husband, Melvin VanCamp. She is survived by her husband, George Grinstine of Yelm, Washington; daughters, Tina (VanCamp) Meserve of Olympia, and Kelly (VanCamp) Trefsgar of Olympia; son, Matthew Grinstine of Lacey; grandchildren, Alyson Meserve of Tumwater, Washington, Ashton Meserve of Olympia, Taryn (Trefsgar) Colburn of Puyallup, Washington, Hannah Trefsgar of Olympia, Hunter Grinstine of Lacey; and great grandson, Jameson Worf of Tumwater. She is also survived by 10 siblings: Mary Pat Heiser of Silverdale, Washington, Kathleen Evans of Tenino, Washington, Jeannie Gosney of Olympia, Rita Brownell of Olympia, Ruth Overman of Olympia, Margaret McCarron of Lacey, Stephen Brownell of Olympia, Chuck Brownell of Olympia, and Mark Brownell of Olympia. The Lord is receiving a very special soul who had no hate but only love, no want but only charity, and who never asked for anything in return. Please leave memories of Anne Marie or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.