In 2015, we shared a heartwarming community spotlight on Donna Glee Reim, a.k.a. Grannyglee, a then 83 year old avid World of Warcraft player and pet collector.
We're happy to report that Grannyglee is still going strong!
At 86 she's still as dedicated to pet collecting as ever and it shows. Her Pet Score and rank on her realm of Kilrogg-EU is ever-rising, plus she recently completed the Family Familiar achievement.
Grannyglee has even created a few YouTube videos to help others with pet collecting. You can check them out on her YouTube channel or on her blog.
Her life outside of WoW has been just as extraordinary. She has had quite the career in film and television, including a small role in Shutter Island.
Check out the 2015 Grannyglee community spotlight
A Conversation with Grannyglee
We had another opportunity to interview Grannyglee about her WoW playing and pet collecting. Here's what she had to say...
Do you still play as much WoW today as you did 2 years ago in 2015?
I actually play more now and I am still very much enjoying the game - the new expansion has been such fun!
Most of my time is spent devoted to pets and I now have 860 pets – all level 25. I love the new pet dungeon and I use mechanicals to get through it. I am also looking forward to the Deadmines Pet Dungeon!
I am learning new things every day and if I get stumped – I go to WarcraftPets and also I watch YouTube videos. The videos offer a lot of assistance and I appreciate the folks who take the time to post them. I actually posted a few of my own to help people out. I especially like Spriestly100101 because he does such a great job explaining the battle and the pets used in the video.
Most of my time is spent devoted to pets and I now have 860 pets – all level 25. I love the new pet dungeon and I use mechanicals to get through it. I am also looking forward to the Deadmines Pet Dungeon!
I am learning new things every day and if I get stumped – I go to WarcraftPets and also I watch YouTube videos. The videos offer a lot of assistance and I appreciate the folks who take the time to post them. I actually posted a few of my own to help people out. I especially like Spriestly100101 because he does such a great job explaining the battle and the pets used in the video.
Out of the new Legion pets, which is your favorite so far?
I like them all but my favorite has to be that cute little Dust Bunny. It is so clever how Blizzard created the dust rug that appears randomly. It is a great twist and definitely made more interesting.
My daughters, who also play WoW, spoil me with lots of gold that they raise on the Auction House so I can buy rare pets. I am now the proud owner of the million gold Celestial Calf.
My daughters, who also play WoW, spoil me with lots of gold that they raise on the Auction House so I can buy rare pets. I am now the proud owner of the million gold Celestial Calf.
Do you have a favorite pet battling team of 3?
I particularly like the Mechanical Pandaren Dragonling. I use two of them coupled with an undead – usually the Scourged Whelping. I just completed the “Family Familiar” achievement and that really tested my skill as I had to come up with unique combinations and not rely on my favorites. I thought it was even more challenging then The Celestial Tournament.
What would you say to people who have never played WoW?
Well they don’t know what they are missing! Virtual reality is such fun.
For example, I always wanted to hang glide when I was younger and never got around to doing it so now I love the goblin glider because gives me the feeling that I am hang gliding.
For example, I always wanted to hang glide when I was younger and never got around to doing it so now I love the goblin glider because gives me the feeling that I am hang gliding.
I believe especially for older people like myself, that it is a great way to socialize, improve my motor skills and learn. It is important at my age to continue to challenge my mind. Some of the best play time is when I play with my daughters, one who lives in Massachusetts which is too far away to visit unless by plane. They think it is so cool that I can play and they are always boasting about me. As a goof, I actually put a streak of green in my hair because at the time, my avatar Grannyglee had green hair!
People still say hello and recognize me in game from the article you did 2 years ago. The response from the article was so great – I enjoyed all the comments and couldn’t believe how many times the article was shared on Facebook! The people are always so nice and friendly. I would love to go to Bilzzcon someday and meet all the other gamers. Although, I doubt there will be many my age but you never know!
People still say hello and recognize me in game from the article you did 2 years ago. The response from the article was so great – I enjoyed all the comments and couldn’t believe how many times the article was shared on Facebook! The people are always so nice and friendly. I would love to go to Bilzzcon someday and meet all the other gamers. Although, I doubt there will be many my age but you never know!
Cheers to GrannyGlee!
Here's to GrannyGlee and her growing pet collection! Keep up the pet collecting and the pet battles!
What an amazing wow player. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
I wish my parents were this cool and understanding. My mom would find WoW too complicated, and my dad thinks the game is evil.
So think a crowdfund to send Grannyglee to Blizzcon (with her daughters of course) is something we should do!! :)
I want to thank everyone for those wonderful comments. I really appreciate them and you for taking the time to comment. One of you mentioned that your grandchild though I was cool. I thought you might like to know my grandchildren think I am cool, too. Since i love Aerosmith, Pink Floyd and many other rock bands, my grandson has bragged to his friends about me. I guess I am sort of a kook but I really enjoy life to the fullest.
Granny, It is good to see that an older person like yourself is still playing WOW. I too am older and enjoy collecting pets. I probably will continue to play for a long time. Congrats on your pet acheivement, 860 level 25 pets is alot of work. You go girl.
Can i just say say you are awesome and I hope I'm half as cool as you when I'm older!
Hi Grannyglee :)
You are incredibly inspiring and I'm so glad Warcraft Pets has done another interview with you! Congrats on all those collected pets... that is an amazing amount :)
I, too, share the passion and devotion to collecting each of our beloved pets. As the years have gone by, WoW's graphic team has continuously improved upon our adorable pets, too. They look so much more amazing now (bunnies, squirrels, etc).
Hi Grannyglee,
I'm older and agree with you that Wow or simialr games help with so many things. I adore pet battles and will go to silly extremes for pets. I am also a gnome warlock. We are the best, right? :) Only problem I have is trying to relate to my peers. They talk cooking and gardens while I'm thinking about getting those pets I don't have.
Love the article - thanks Warcraftpets!
this'll be me in 50 years but it'll be like 10k pets after wows 35th expansion
I don't want to repeat the others, but how heartwarming indeed! It's awesome to see a person with a such strong spirit.
And thanks Warcraft Pets for not only sharing her story, but keeping in touch with her. :)
shows ya that you are never too old to play games, our little guildie pet collector :D
Theres a gentleman in my guild who just turned 76...his name is zanndar on uther
Warmed my heart.
All the more power to you GrannyGlee, good to see older players in the game! Have fun collecting!
RainbowK
Swifteagle on Skywall!
Our 15-year-old daughter thinks you are so cool Grannyglee! :D
I have always thought, and even said aloud a few times, that as we age we should keep our minds busy and WoW is an excellent way to do that! You go Grannyglee <3 :)
You go, Grannyglee. I hope that when/if I reach such a venerable age that I still have such a joie de vivre. Here's to you /salute, /hug.
So awesome!
She seems like such a fun person :)