Grace Stout's Obituary
Grace Daniele Stout, 78, passed peacefully from the bonds of Earth on Sunday, July 13. Born in Plainfield, N.J., she moved at age 8 with her mother, Florence, father, Frank, and sisters Julie and Cindi to Fort Myers, where she lived and loved for most of the rest of her amazing life.
Grace quickly made strong and lasting impressions, beginning with a huge accordion with which she wowed Mrs. Elmore's fourth grade class at Edison Park Elementary with a rousing rendition of "The Yellow Rose of Texas," and also met her future husband, Byron. Her musical career continued through graduation from Fort Myers Senior High as an accomplished flautist and dazzling twirler, honor student, and member of the school's first Advanced Placement Math class. On matriculating to the University of South Florida she took mainly STEM courses, freely admitting to the appeal of their robust ratio of men to women, while also earning a degree in geology.
Grace's post graduate career began in Atlanta, where she worked at the Bureau of Mines and taught at Georgia State before moving to Austin, where she completed her teaching certification at the University of Texas. She always said becoming an educator was a no-brainer. What other jobs gave you so many weeks off for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, plus all summer? Back in Fort Myers she was hired by principal Walt Zuroski to teach chemistry at North Fort Myers High. Grace was an inspiring teacher with firm command of her classrooms, due in part to her super power -- hearing. No whispers ever went undetected or quickly unadmonished, thus nipping such distractions in the bud. By 1978 Grace had transferred to Cypress Lake High, not far from her South Fort Myers home. She was encouraged by principal Raymond Daniel to earn a Master's in Education Management, and with her then husband she developed a close group of friends and hosted Sunday volleyball games in their back yard.
That was Phase I of Grace's life, which ended on Oct. 3, 1979, when the aneurism in the congenital venous malformation of her brain blew out, leaving her paralyzed on her right side and completely unable to speak. Piling on her physical disaster was the concurrent failure of her marriage, which might well have devastated a lesser being. But long story short, by the fall of 1980 Grace was back teaching school. And by the end of the school year she was divorced, and in love with Byron Stout, for whom reciprocity was inescapable. By year's end they began a 43-year marriage -- a beautiful partnership through sickness and health that only death could rend asunder.
You're invited to the retelling and celebration of that story, the story of Amazing Grace. It is a celebration, so wear your favorite luau outfit if you like. And in remembrance of Grace's love of flowers, bring one, or maybe a spray to lei by her portrait and urn.
Grace is survived by Byron and their beautiful daughter, Anastasia Lee, stepson Charles Byron III, and her sister, Julie Durrance (Mike). She was predeceased by her sister, Cindi Priebe (Carl).
Grace's family has entrusted Fort Myers Memorial Gardens with the tender care of her final arrangements. There will be a gathering Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 1PM with her Memorial service beginning at 2PM.
What’s your fondest memory of Grace?
What’s a lesson you learned from Grace?
Share a story where Grace's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Grace you’ll never forget.
How did Grace make you smile?