Grace A. McMillan

Grace Anne Crowder McMillan, 88, last living in Knoxville, TN, left this world, forever to be in Heaven, on
Sunday, September 17, 2023. Her love, support, grace, optimism, good humor, intelligence, wit, passion for
life, and beauty will be greatly missed forever.
Grace was born in Oklahoma City on November 3, 1934, to parents William Forney and Grace Estella
(Dimick) Orendorff. Shortly thereafter they moved to Kittridge, CO, and then on to Altadena, CA for most
of her childhood. Grace attended the University of Colorado (Boulder, CO) where she was a proud Kappa
and Buffalo. Upon finishing her Education Degree, she received her California Teaching Certificate from
UCLA before having her three children, Marianne Grace, Donald William, and Susan Lynne. While raising
three children in Arcadia, CA, Grace went on to become a Registered Nurse (Pasadena City College and
Point Loma) and came to love working as an Emergency Room RN at both Arcadia Methodist Hospital and
St. Luke’s Hospital in Pasadena. In 1982 she received her Master’s Degree in Nursing from Long Beach
State University. With a new phase of her career starting, she moved to Portland, OR, to be closer to her
daughters and began her work as an Adult Nurse Practitioner, eventually specializing in Nephrology and
Hypertension at the Oregon Health Sciences University. Upon retirement, Grace spent time with family,
traveling, playing bridge, and doing all the things she loved. Her last 6 years were spent in Knoxville, TN,
with her youngest daughter.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents and the love of her life in her later years, Donald Crowder. She
is survived by her three children - Marianne McClenaghan (Doug), Donald McMillan (Danielle), and Susan
McMillan; five grandchildren - Greg McClenaghan, Michelle McClenaghan, Matt McClenaghan (Michelle),
Spencer McMillan, and Malia McMillan; and two great-grandchildren – Jack and Emma McClenaghan. She
is also survived by her sweet dog Molly.
Grace dearly loved her family, friends, and life. She was resilient and believed all things were possible. She
lived with strong faith, fortitude, strength, and wisdom. She loved spending time with her family no matter
what the event was – holidays and talent night at Cultus Lake were always favorites! She loved being GG
(Grandma Grace) or “the Geeg”! She loved her life with second husband, Don Crowder, including
traveling, partaking in Shriners’ events, and hosting picnics at “the farm”. She loved her friends – from
work, from bridge (both in Portland and Knoxville), and friends dating all the way back to Jr. High School
(Ann). She loved animals – especially dogs. She loved gardening and took special pride in her roses. She
loved going to the theater. She loved traveling - with Maui capturing her heart the most. She simply loved
life. And, she loved “happy hour” (responsibly of course). So raise a glass of something in her honor if you
wish – may be anything but a scotch and water with a lemon twist would be right up her alley.
The family will be holding a private celebration of life at a later time in the west. Remembrance
contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley : 6717 Kingston Pike, Knoxville,
TN 37919 (https://humanesocietytennessee.org/) OR to DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty
Hospital : 1945 NW Pettygrove St., Portland, OR 97209 (https://donate.dovelewis.org/) . Condolences may
be made to Gentry Griffey Funeral Home, Knoxville (https://www.gentrygriffey.com/ ).

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