- Date Of Birth: December 16, 1929
- Date Of Death: September 7, 2017
- State: Maryland
Pattie Baily Grundy Betz died in Easton, Maryland on September 7, 2017. She passed without a prolonged illness–just as she would have wished. Her death was hastened by a fall.
She had two wonderful families. Her first husband of more than fifty years was James A Grundy, who died in 2008. The Grundys had two children, Jim Grundy Jr. of Bucks County, Pa. and Oxford, Md. and Patty Grundy Andreen, who lives in California. Pattie Sr. is survived by her second husband George Betz Sr, her two Grundy children, as well as seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Pattie had a stylish and interesting life. She brought elegance and intelligence to every group to which she belonged.
Pattie Baily was born on December 16, 1929, and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents, Sam and Mabel, had a passion for old cars and starting in 1946, they took young Pattie along to antique car events in a restored Pierce Arrow or later in Sam’s Mercer Raceabout or a classic Bentley.
There was not a stuffy bone in Pattie’s body. Her life was a series of adventures and she brought joy to all who knew her.
As a young mother Pattie drove the children around in a vintage convertible Packard with a rumble seat, continuing the old car passion which originated with her great grandfather, who built Pullman automobiles in York, Pa. Four generations continued the family tradition of loving and caring for vintage cars.
Jim Grundy Jr. now run the family insurance business, Grundy Worldwide, where his two sons and a daughter work. The company insures antique and vintage autos. Pattie was a supportive participant in all these car related activities.
Another passion for the Grundys was sailing on the family sloop Grundoon, a Columbia 50, now fifty years old and still a beauty. Grundoon was docked in Maryland when at rest, but the family actively sailed her all along the Eastern seaboard. Pattie and Jim sometimes sailed Grundoon without any help. Her contribution as first mate went well beyond the beautiful meals she cooked. She was an able hand who grew to love the sport. She was thrilled when Jim Jr. restored the old Grundoon.
In retirement Pattie and Jim lived in Easton, Maryland. Pattie filled their home with color and life. She volunteered for the Historical Society in Easton, where she served on the board, and was a fixture in the Tharpe House antique store.
After her first husband Jim passed away, Pattie had a glorious second marriage to George Betz, a retired builder of premium homes who had lived next door to the Grundys in Huntingdon Valley. They married at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Md. and spent eight happy years living together on the Eastern Shore. In later years, they enjoyed music and the arts and loved cooking together for friends and family, using the bounty from George’s garden. In keeping with their sunny dispositions, they had fun right up to the end.
