Tiburon centenarian a devoted parishioner, late-life painter

Ruth Grant of Tiburon is congratulated by the Rev. Phillip Ellsworth on Dec. 5 as she celebrated her 100th birthday with friends after Sunday services at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Belvedere. Grant’s birthday was on Nov. 30. (Elliot Karlan / For The Ark)

One year ago, Ruth Grant of Old Tiburon was celebrating her birthday from home, recovering from a bout of COVID-19 that had put her in the hospital for three weeks. Family and friends marked the day with a surprise drive-by party, keeping physically distanced as they filed past shouting greetings and honking their horns.

This year her birthday was a little more normal — if turning 100 is normal.

Grant spent the milestone day, Nov. 30, with her children, then after Sunday service she celebrated with fellow parishioners at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where she has been a member and beloved figure since she first moved to Tiburon. That was 75 years ago, in 1946, when 25-year-old Grant and husband Rollin bought their home on Mar West Street.

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