Barbara Joan Grillo

Barbara Joan (Vaida) Grillo, 85 years old, was born into this world on August 30, 1938, and entered heaven on Thursday, September 14, 2023.  She was born to John and Mary (Brince) Vaida in Chisholm, MN, where she grew up and graduated from Chisholm High School with the class of 1956.  Barb continued her education at Hibbing Community College and not long after that she fell in love on the dance floor with her husband, Bill Grillo, they married in 1958 and the dance went on for 65 years.  Together they raised their family in Hibbing, MN.  Barb loved life at the lake and they had a family cabin on Perch Lake since 1976.  After retirement, Barb and Bill were able to build their dream home on the lake where they found great happiness.

Barb was the coordinator of the Hibbing Senior Center at the Memorial Building for many years and was also a proud foster grandma at the Chisholm Elementary School.  She was always the number one fan of whatever activity her family members were involved in!  Barb was an avid reader, adventurous traveler, a master joke teller and proud of her Slovenian heritage.  She loved to cook and host gatherings for her family and friends.  Barb also loved music as it was involved with every aspect of her life and she was able to pass this love on to her entire family.  Above all, Barb was a devoted wife and loved being a mother and grandma Gigi to her family.

Barb is survived by her husband, Bill Grillo, children; Carrie (Mike) O'Neil, Bill (Heather) Grillo, Marybeth (Kelly) Korhonen, Amy (Gene LaFond) Grillo and Kim (Kyle) Nagler, grandkids; Erin Kelly, Patrick O'Neil, Kevin O'Neil, Ryan O'Neil, Billy Grillo, Jon Grillo, Travis Korhonen, Shannon Korhonen, Tia Rudstrom, Trista Rudstrom, Myles Nagler, Amelia Nagler and great grandkids; Mareena, Myla, Madi, Claire, Austin, Jack, Milo and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary, grandson, Franky Grillo and siblings; Rosemary (Vaida) Simons, Betsy (Vaida) O’Neill, Jack Vaida & Margret (Vaida) Brisley.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, May 3rd, 2024, at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Hibbing.  Father Bill Skarich will officiate mass and visitation will be held one hour prior beginning at 11:00 AM.  Interment will take place at the Maple Hill Cemetery at a later date.  Please join the family for reception at St. Leo's Hall following mass.  Dress comfortably and casually but please consider wearing blue in Barb's honor.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or Hospice organization.