Hilda Norwood Grinnage, esteemed educator
Hilda Norwood Grinnage, affectionately known as "Teenie," the youngest of four daughters in the Clarence Page and Loretta Maull Norwood family, was born in the orginal homestead 1822 Route 9, Lewes, Aug. 22, 1925. She was married to the late Paul Grinnage.
She received her education at Rabbit's Ferry Elementary School (201-C), Lewes High School and Delaware State High School and College (now Delaware State University). She graduated with honors at each of the schools attended. Additional studies were taken at the University of Delaware. Hilda was a forward for the Delaware State College Women's Basketball Team from 1944-47, and she served as co-captain from 1946-47. She also participated as a majorette with the marching band. She was among the first to be inducted in the Athletic Hall of Fame of Delaware State University.
Her teaching experiences began at Rabbit's Ferry Elementary School. She retired from teaching at Shields Elementary School in June 1991, after having taught 44 years. She was a member of Israel United Methodist Church where she was active on the administrative board, the senior choir, and the United Methodist Women. She was president of the Rabbit's Ferry Community Center, second vice president of the Eastern Sussex Republician Club, and assistant secretary of the Sussex County Alumni Chapter of the Delaware State University. She was a life member of the DSU Alumni Association, Teacher of the Year (1990-91) at Shields Elementary, and also a life member of the Delaware State Education Association.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceeded in death by two sisters, Agnes N. Scott and Delores P. N. Handy; three brothers-in-law, Paul M. Selby Sr., Theodore Scott Sr. and James Otis Handy; and a cousin, Robinson "Dick" Maull. Hilda will be greatly missed and leaves to cherish her memories a sister, Cora N. Selby; six nephews; one niece; the Maull family, the Norwood family, the Grinnage family, and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be noon, Thursday, Aug. 21, at Israel UM Church, 20254 Plantation Road, Lewes. Friends may call at the church two hours before service, and 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20. Arrangements by Miller Funeral & Cremation Services, Harrington.
