Grace Krumdieck's Obituary
DAVIDSON- Grace Ann Krumdieck, 15
Grace Ann Krumdieck died early in the morning on December 28, 2013. She was asleep, her mother sleeping beside her, each enveloped in the other’s warmth and love. Grace (Gracie, Gracie-girl or Pookie, as we sometimes called her) was 15 years old.
Gracie had Rett Syndrome, a progressive neurologic condition that primarily affects girls. Due to her illness, she experienced many challenges. She could not talk. She could not walk and had limited use of her hands. She needed help with feeding and bathing and all activities. She had seizures and a propensity to develop pneumonia. In the end, she died of complications related to her seizures.
To focus on the challenges imposed by her illness was to lose sight of the person that she was and the impact that she had on others. Gracie had a quiet, cheerful, optimistic disposition. She appreciated and embraced her life with its joys and challenges. She had silky brown hair and almond-shaped blue eyes that were windows to her soul. Grace enjoyed spending time at home with her family and friends, but also was outgoing and ready for an adventure. She wanted to be in the thick of things.
Music was an important part of her life. She enjoyed listening to music on the radio and loved attending concerts. Many members of her family are musicians and Gracie enjoyed the concerts that were put on at home where she enthusiastically participated by moving back and forth in her seat dancing and waving her arms as if conducting.
She also loved French Fries and ravioli with marinara and her Aunt Frances’ “Asian Salmon” (Recipe not included). Any meal was made extra special if she could drink from a wine glass, including occasionally a sip of wine or Prosecco.
Grace enjoyed listening to the sounds of life around her. She liked nature walks to watch birds and listen to their songs. She liked TV! Some of her favorite shows were Sesame Street, Kipper the Dog, Angelina Ballerina, and the Wiggles. She also had some very simple pleasures like the look and movement of ceiling fans which she found endlessly fascinating.
While Grace could not talk, she could communicate: She spoke to us through gestures, subtleties of expression, a touch, and most of all through her eyes. To listen, one had to slow down, be silent, and pay attention. She was able to let us know how she was feeling and what she needed. She also was able to convey understanding, empathy and love. She said more with her eyes than most of us say with our voices.
Grace inspired art. Because of their connection to Grace, artists have painted and drawn, poets have written verse, and musicians have composed works for her. She also inspired countless musical performances.
Grace’s greatest gift to all of us was her love. She was accepting of everyone, critical of no one, and appreciative of what people had to offer. This was her talent which she possessed in abundance and expressed effortlessly. She tried her best to teach us to slow down, appreciate the moment, be accepting of others and most of all, love unconditionally. Her spirit will live on in our hearts where she will continue her teaching, inspiration and love beyond the years that she was physically with us.
Grace was the daughter of Barbara and Richard Krumdieck of Davidson and the sister of Max Krumdieck.
We will be celebrating Grace’s life at a remembrance service January 13th, 7pm at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace’s memory to any of the following: St. Alban’s Episcopal Church (Davidson), Arts & Science Council, or the Nature Conservancy. Thanks to David Wilgus for creating the beautiful artwork of our Gracie that you see here.
- Richard Krumdieck
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
What’s your fondest memory of Grace?
What’s a lesson you learned from Grace?
Share a story where Grace's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Grace you’ll never forget.
How did Grace make you smile?