major peaks in this country, including all the high points of the contiguous western states (except Rainer), and such mountains abroad as Mt. Blanc, Kilimanjaro and even mighty Mt. Kosciusko as part of Doug's "finish" of the seven continental summits.

Vi also had a very serious and committed side. She was a quintessential classic Sierra Club person -loving the exploration and enjoyment, while also carrying essential responsibilities. She had been Chairperson and Secretary of both the SPS and the DPS, had also served as Secretary of the Chapter Council, and was the SPS Mountain Records Chair at the time of her death. With her exceptional organization and discipline she was superb in all these roles. She had also taken some responsibility for the future, for the Nature Conservancy was her primary beneficiary.

In these and many other things Vi was very important to us all, we'll continue to celebrate her memory, and will really miss her perky stride and big smile, her friendship and companionship. We're all the better for having known her through the years. -- Duane McRuer

IN MEMORIAM
by Doug Mantle

"So, you are the famous Vi Grasso?" With these words began twenty-three rewarding years of friendship with this remarkable woman.

Vi died of a heart attack Saturday, October 15, 1994, descending from Ken Point. She would have wanted it that way, to die climbing, still in her prime. "Too bad it was on a crud heap" she'd add.

The lady defies easy definition, there were so many aspects of her.

She was the engaging Latina with the perfectly-timed, zany outburst.

She was the sophisticate who with a withering snicker could destroy a mediocre opera performance, or who would sit enraptured through by any performance by Placido Domingo.

She was the no-nonsense professional, the paralegal, drawing up complex pleadings or fixing the foibles of inexperienced attorneys.
She was the gritty endeavorer who soloed a host of tough climbs, bivouacs and all, did the East Face, Telescope from the bottom, and first Sierra Winter ascents.

She climbed all the SPS and DPS peaks and served those groups in many capacities. She ran numerous marathons and downhill skied over two continents. She topped other summits all over the West, in Africa, Europe, Australia, and Asia. She was a Gourmet Cook, Dog Show Presenter, Belly Dancer (yes) and Snow Angel.

For a lucky few of us, she was the nurturing friend. Once Vi took you under her wing, she stuck by you (we once joked) like a faithful dog.

Vi was a perfectionist, who saved the highest standards for herself, and showed little tolerance for those who settle for less.

Vi used to joke that when she got old, she would just walk around the lakes. But that wasn't her style.

She left us at the perfect time, content with her accomplishments, still vigorous, and much loved.

TO ALL VI'S FRIENDS
by Edna Erspamer

I'm probably the last person who hiked with Vi. On October 8th and 9th we knocked off four peaks in the area south of Idyllwild: Apache, Spitler, Little Cahuilla, and Cahuilla, Vi's 252nd peak. Although she looked down her nose at HPS peaks (having done the DPS and SPS lists), she had only twenty-six more peaks to do in order to finish the list of 278. She was anxious to do them all before the end of the year so she could join her friends Doug Mantle (4th time), Duane McRuer (2nd time), and Bob Hicks (1st time) on the ultimate super colossal Quadruple List Finishing Party.

On the way back to the city on Sunday evening we compared our genetic make-up and talked about things we could possibly die of (seem to do more and more of this type of thinking after hitting the Big 60). Vi remarked that she had lived a fantastic life up to then, done more than dozens of people rolled into one. "Anything from now on will be GRAVY," she said.
 
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