Grassi, Letitia S. 'Tish'

Letitia S. “Tish” Grassi, 71, of Coralville, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. Services will be Saturday, Sept. 8, at Lensing's Oak Hill in Coralville. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or Coralville American Legion.

Tish was born Jan. 8, 1941, in Washington, Iowa, and raised in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Ignatius “Ike” and Leona Peiffer. After high school, she attended nursing school and became a registered nurse. On Nov. 14, 1962, she married the love of her life, John R. “Ron” Grassi in Iowa City, Iowa.

Tish left nursing in 1967 to raise her family. She worked with her husband in the family businesses (Charco's in Coralville and KFC in Iowa City) before opening an in-home day care in 1989. She took care of over 100 children over the years and considered those children and their parents to be part of her extended family. Most recently, she spent nearly four years with Durham School Services.

Survivors include her husband of almost 50 years, Ron; children, Theresa “Terri” Grassi of Arlington, Texas, Amber (Joe) Pokorny of Clutier, Debra (Dave) Saunders of Mesa, Ariz., John “Tad” Grassi of Mount Pleasant, and Danielle “Dani” (Nick) Piere of Tiffin; sister, Audrey (Ed) Relder of Garland, Texas; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Tish was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and five sisters.

Online condolences may be sent to .

Published in The Gazette Sept. 5, 2012.