We lost one of Modesto’s shining stars.
Mary Kate Grimaldi
April 23rd, 1959 – August 24th, 2025
Mary Kate Grimaldi was everyone’s friend. Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer on August 23 and the world lost a magic smile. If you had any connection to the Modesto Bee, you knew Mary Kate, the dynamo in the Advertising Art department at the Bee, where her husband Pete Grimaldi also worked, putting the Bee to bed each night. “MK” as she was known was all about bringing Modesto together through the Modesto Bee. If there was a special edition, MK would dial her contacts list and fill it up. You couldn’t say no. Originally from “Live No More”, (aka Livermore) she embraced Modesto and Modesto embraced her. She later handled the Bee’s interactive business. Following her career, she worked with Capital Public Radio to bring the NPR world to Modesto, and connected so many local businesses to this organization and put Modesto on the Sacramento map.
Most importantly, she was a mom to two amazing girls, two great step-sons and her love of Pete is something for the books. You would see her at Pete’s Blues Box Zydeco shows, and you know she was magic as she loved an accordion player. She attended many events, and she was a fearless happy woman’s warrior with an infectious laugh and smile. She cared for everyone and MK will be missed in our community. Our hearts go out to Pete and their family as they struggle through this time. Celebration of life information will be available soon. Her family will miss her, and I will remember all she taught me about advertising sales and never forget her.
Thank you Pete for all of your years putting ModestoView together each month. I don’t know how to thank you for your professional guidance over the years. I am grateful to have known MK.
With love, Chris Murphy
A Celebration of Life, Memorial Dance Party will be held at the Eagles Hall, 126 Camellia Ave, Modesto California on Sunday, September 21, at 4pm-8pm. Donations are requested be made to the Breast Cancer Research Association, American Cancer Society and St. Judes Children’s Hospital.
