Wanda Lee Grubbe

Wanda Lee Grubbe, of Sun City Center, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, at the age of 84.

Wanda was born in Chicago, Illinois. As the daughter of a hotel general manager, she spent much of her childhood living in different places, but she especially loved Rocky River, Ohio, where she graduated from Rocky River High School. She also attended Miami University of Ohio.

In 1964, Wanda married her loving husband, Dan, beginning a marriage that would span 62 wonderful years. As a military wife, Wanda was no stranger to moving, and together she and Dan lived in many states before finally settling in Lee Hall, Virginia, where she lived with her family for 44 years. In 2022, Wanda and Dan moved to Sun City Center full-time to be closer to their girls and their families.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Sophie Fitzpatrick and James Fitzpatrick.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Dan; her daughters, Stephanie (Grubbe) Johnson (AJ) and Melissa (Grubbe) Yates (Ron); and her beloved grandchildren, Ronnie Yates, Corey Yates (Paige), James Johnson (Lindsey), Allyson Schmidt (Jake), Jacob Johnson (Farrah), Jarred Johnson, and Jaden Johnson.

Wanda was also blessed with six great-grandchildren whom she adored: McKinley and Paxton Yates, Brylee and Adalee Johnson, and Weston and Chase Schmidt.

She is also survived by her dearest brother, Jim Fitzpatrick, and her beloved “sister,” Sherrie.

Wanda retired from Civil Service after working as an administrative assistant for AATD at Fort Eustis Army Base in Virginia.

Throughout her life, Wanda was active in her community and proudly served two terms as President of the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Women’s Auxiliary.

Wanda found joy in crafting, gardening, shelling, and spending time with Dan and their dearest friends. She was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Browns fan and, after moving to Florida, happily became a Tampa Bay Rays fan as well.

Above all, Wanda cherished her family and the many friends who became family along the way. Her warmth, love, strength, and sense of humor will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at:

National Cremation Society

308 E. College Ave.

Ruskin, FL 33570

A celebration of Wanda’s life and reception will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the home of Melissa and Ron Yates.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Wanda’s memory to support macular degeneration research through BrightFocus Foundation.