Mary Lucille Grimes Marquardt, 91, of Libby, died Sunday morning, Oct. 10, 2001, at St. John's Lutheran Hospital. She was born on June 18, 1910, at Williston, N.D., the second child of Joseph and Katherine French Grimes. She married George R. Marquardt on May 13, 1935, in St. Mary's Church at Hague, N.D., where she taught school for several years. After moving to Linton, N.D., Lucille and George raised five children, two of whom became teachers. The family later moved to Glendive and then to Libby. Well known for her cooking skills, there was little Lucille wouldn't attempt. Being Irish, she had to learn the German language and how to cook the German-Russian foods her husband liked. She quickly adapted to them as though they were her own. She enjoyed baking cakes, pies, breads and rolls, as well as cooking roasts and making all kinds of soups. Although she worked her way through the Great Depression, as others did, and tended a garden, the children in her family rarely wanted for food. Lucille's husband was church organist and priests and parishoners often invited themselves in for meals or snacks. There was little waste in Lucille 's life. Clothes were mended and handed down, newspapers and magazines were recycled, and rarely was any good food destroyed. She was proud of her years as a teacher and loved children of all ages. Grandchildren and their spouses, and great-grandchildren as well, adopted her. She had a unique ability to make each of them feel as if he or she were the only one, and she became their "best granny." To each she was "my grammy." She was involved in a variety of church programs, such as the Legion of Mary, and served as president of the Christian Mothers' Society, raising funds and serving dinners. Although she endured illnesses that would have weakened others, she not only overcame these challenges humbly, she learned from the experiences to help others. In later years her husband appreciated how well she applied lessons learned from her own illnesses. A strong spirit and steadfast faith allowed her to experience life fully. Instead of crutches she leaned on the shoulders of her children. She was an influence and inspiration to her family. In her later years, Lucille displayed a wit and charm that caused many to fall in love with her. She was known as Lucy to many, and was able to turn many a conversation into a discussion of recipes and cooking techniques. She loved children, collecting recipes and foods familiar to her pioneering family. She was a good letter writer and frequently told tales of pioneer days, gardening and canning, farming and herding cattle to market. Of hauling coal in wagons and hiding in storm cellars during the windy Dakota days of the twenties and thirties. She was preceded in death by her husband George, sister Rose Latka and brother James Grimes. Survivors include sons Lewis R. Marquardt, Austin, Texas, and James P. Marquardt, Bothell, Wash.; and daughters Patricia Ann Tanner, Sunnyvale, Calif.; and Rose Catherine Goyen and Helen M. Barnett, both of Libby. Lucille is also survived by sisters Ellen Ricki, Lewistown, and Marie Ukestad, Valley City, N.D., brother Joseph Grimes, Jamestown, N.D.; 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Rosary services were conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home Chapel and Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Pallbearers were Jennifer Badgely, Teresa Goyen, Elizabeth Tanner, James Barnett, Terry Lisell and Mark Marquardt. Burial followed in the City of Libby Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Church, Linton, N.D.