College Governing Board President Sheila A. Grilli, a 75-year-old resident of Martinez, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 due to a long illness.

She was a member of the Contra Costa Community College Board since 1998 and represented Ward 3 which included most of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord and Pacheco.

According to Timothy Leong, public information officer of the Contra Costa Community College Board, “Grilli was a tireless supporter of the community college mission to provide affordable and quality higher education opportunities for our students and the community.”

She was born in Martinez in 1938 to Al and Dolly Boyer. Sheila attended Diablo Valley College in 1955 and earned an Associates of Arts Degree in 1957. Afterwards, she went on to U.C. Berkeley and earned a B.A. in English and journalism.

Lisa White of the Contra Costa Times said that “Grilli loved her hometown, where she spent her entire adult life, and volunteered with several community groups”. With her then-husband Bob Grilli, she co-owned a flooring business in downtown Martinez and ran a bookshop called Sheila A. Grilli Booksellers on Ferry Street. Besides running a bookshop, Grilli was also a member of the Martinez Lioness Club and frequently volunteered in the Martinez community.

She attended church at St. Catherine of Siena Parish and was an active member in the Martinez Chamber of Commerce. In the 1970s, Grilli was a charter member and president in the Martinez Historical Society and helped to restore the Borland House. She was also a member of the Muir Heritage Land Trust, which was formerly known as the Martinez Land Trust.

She is survived by her sister, Vicki Ross of Clayton, nephews Chris and Ted Leach of Martinez, Matt Leach of Wyoming, Benjamin and Daniel Ross of Los Angeles, nieces Susan Goff of Hawaii, Wendy Arruda and Jennifer Stierwalt of Los Angeles, and grandnieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to DVC Foundation, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. Please note “Sheila Grilli Fund” on the memo line of the check.