A vibrant life gone too soon: Honoring and Remembering Lynn

Lynn Christine (McCool-Caradonna ) Grimes was born on October 23rd, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York. She died on August 1st 2026, while traveling in Washington State. She grew up in West Islip, New York. Lynn lived her remaining years in Palm Bay, Florida. She was 66 years old.

She is survived by her husband, Rodger Grimes, and her daughters, Valerie and Angela Caradonna. Other family members include several siblings, including Gene McCool, and beloved nieces and nephews, including Jennifer Wilson, among many others. Close friends include Mike Rigel, Kathy Callard, and countless other lifelong and newly met friends. Honorary Grandchildren include: Isaiah Auguste, Richelle Harrilal, and AjaLynn Willis, and beloved shared dog, Loyal.

Despite challenging beginnings, Lynn persevered and embodied resilience as she overcame obstacles. She lived her life by helping others and standing up for the underserved and forgotten.

Lynn lived life to the fullest and, even at the end, was on an adventure of a lifetime, just returning from Alaska and finding a newly loved place in Washington State on Whidbey Island with her husband.

True to her adventurous spirit, she was celebrating her 80th cruise. She had a magnetic love for bright blue water, new places, and most of all making the dearest friends out of strangers. She wished to be cremated, and her ashes will be scattered in Cherokee, North Carolina, in the Caribbean, the Island and Ranch in Palm Bay, Florida, and at the gravesite of her brother, sister, and niece in Maine.

She will be remembered for her bold sense of humor, adventurous spirit, resilience, colorful and comfortable wardrobe, exceptional food, spiky hair, treasures, selfless acts of service, her love for all animals, including Fred the alligator, and her fierce love for those she cared about. Lynn was a truly special person who was a beacon of light and humor for many.

A celebration of life in her honor and memory will be held in Palm Bay, Florida, in the Spring. Details will be provided via Rodger and Angela.

Please continue to share pictures and stories to keep her memory alive. Consider a donation or a purchase of a boardwalk plank to the Turkey Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Palm Bay, Florida, to help support the wildlife my mother loved so much. https://turkeycreek.org/donations-and-store/ols/categories/boardwalk-planks

                Thank you for loving and accepting my mom for who she was. She will be truly missed and will not be forgotten.