WELLMAN

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 06:35:39 :

Coastal Post
September 17, 1990

GRACE FINN WELLMAN Dies
Environmental Matriarch Leaves Huge Legacy in Marin

Marin lost one of its most revered residents last week with the death of Grace Finn Wellman. Gracie’s dedication to environmental causes and community service will have a lasting impact on the county, because both she and her late husband, Ted, devoted their lives to preserving Marin’s unique charm.

For 56 years, since she became a founding member of the Marin Conservation League (MCL), Gracie never faltered in her efforts to preserve Marin’s coastal area, its wetlands, its open spaces and its parks.

She was president of MCL from 1966 to 1968, and long served on its board. In 1982, Gracie received MCL’s highest honor, the “Green Award.”

The citation which went with the award read: “You are a very special person in Marin County, a protector and preserver of our priceless environment. Your star shines brilliantly in a galaxy of stars. You did your share and more. For this, the Marin Conservation League present the Green Award for selfless dedication to the community.”

Gracie was not only a warm, caring person, but she had an outstanding wry humor, and a biting wit. Many supervisors, past and present, remember with good humor how she would line up support for planning issues, sit with her entourage in the front row of the supervisor’s chambers, and playfully lecture them about what they should do. She always referred to the supervisors as “the boys.”

In fact, Karin Urquhart of MCL remembers that Gracie used to say, “We’ve got to tet the nodders and phoners in the front row so the boys will behave.”

Urquhart said, “There was no one like her. She was a remarkable, wonderful, warn dedicated person. She and her husband made such an impact on Marin that people running for supervisors would covet their support. I feel this is the end of an era – the volunteer era.”

Planning Commissioner Jerry Friedman remembers that when he first was appointed, Gracie attended every meeting. “I didn’t get to know her, she got to know me,” he said. “One of the nicest things I remember was when I resigned from the commission over the Seadrift issue, I got a wonderful letter of support from her.”

Friedman said Gracie knew how government worked and respected the process. “She cared about winning, but most of all, she cared about fairness,” he said. “And when she criticized, which she often did, she did it with grace and humor.”

Everyone whose life Gracie touched will miss this remarkable woman. She will be remembered with joy.