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Cara Adrian Galuppo Grimsley, 68

Cara Adrian Galuppo Grimsley passed away on Feb. 15, 2020, in Coeur d’Alene, surrounded by her husband, children and family. She was 68 years old. It is impossible to capture the spirit of this marvelous and wondrous woman in just a short passage, but here goes ...

Cara was born in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 1951; the last and eighth child of Luigi and Mary Galuppo, an Italian and Irish immigrant, respectively. As the baby of eight children in an Italian-Irish-Catholic family, Cara always said that she was surrounded by brothers and sisters who would protect her whenever she “got in trouble,” which was often. Cara was close in age to many of her cousins and quite literally had a hand in raising eight to 10 of them.

Cara attended local schools in Orange County and graduated from Foothills High School in the summer of 1969. Although school wasn’t a huge priority, having a good time was. To others, she radiated joyful, unbridled, freewheeling fun and she was constantly surrounded by friends and boys. She spent the next 10 years living in various parts of Southern California, learning the restaurant industry, playing competitive bridge, living on the Colorado River and having a generally magnificent time.

In 1978, she met the love of her life, Michael Arthur Grimsley, and they began dating in 1984. They initially lived in Aspen, Colo., where they operated Michael’s then-restaurant, Gorden and Grimsley’s. They married in Carmel, Calif., and had two daughters: Marki Adrian Zabar (née Grimsley) born in 1987 and Christina Adrian Grimsley born in 1988.

As a family they lived on the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, Calif., until 1989, when they moved to Apple Valley, Calif. During their time in Apple Valley, Cara learned how to operate payroll software as an early adopter of Apple technology. This capability allowed her and Michael to open their own payroll processing company in 1992 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They moved to the mountain town of Coeur d’Alene in order to provide their children with a more idyllic childhood.

Due to their backgrounds in the restaurant industry, Cara and Michael threw gatherings and parties that have come to be described by many as “the best parties ever.” Together with Michael, Cara was passionate about their daughters, Michael’s son Tristan, their dogs, their home, voraciously reading one to two books per week, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Nothing gave them more joy than cooking in their kitchen for a big group of family and friends.

Cara is survived by her beloved husband, Michael, and their children, Marki and Christina; as well as her sons-in-law, Ben and Nick; her step-son, Tristan and her daughter-in-law, Shannon, and her grandson, Brody. She also left behind her very tight-knit family in Southern California, whom she loved dearly.

Her family and friends are utterly shattered by her untimely death, as she was an uncommonly kind and good mother, an unwaveringly dedicated wife, and an uncompromising, passionate and generous person. Throughout her life, Cara was instinctual and inherently attuned to the lives of others. She served as a second mother to many of her daughters’ friends and her house was known as a place of solace, safety and comfort for friends and family from all walks of life. She never failed to cheer up others with her quick smile and sharp humor ... and if that didn’t do it — music, booze and dancing were a close second. Often times, the combination would turn into what many have described as “the best night ever.”

We are all diminished by her absence in this life. Our love for her knows no bounds. To honor Cara’s memory, we would like to propose that you live with no regrets among your loved ones. Enjoy every second. Leave no stone unturned.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at the Grimsley Family home in Hayden Lake. All are welcome.

Please visit Cara’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.