Our beloved mother, Patricia Elaine Griffin, age 87, of Helena, MT, went to be with our Lord and Savior on March 7, 2012. Her family and friends will greatly miss her. She was born on June 30, 1924, in Belt, MT. She and her sister, Hilda, grew up on a farm near Raynesford, MT, and attended a one room schoolhouse as children. They attended high school in Belt, MT. Mom continued her education attending Northern Montana College and the College of Great Falls, receiving her teaching degree. She began her 35 year career teaching in a one room schoolhouse and taught in several different Montana cities, ending her career in 1980 while teaching grade school at Ray Bjork in Helena.
She married Franklin J. Griffin in Great Falls on March 10, 1950. For their first date, Dad took her hunting, his favorite hobby. She loved the Lord and enjoyed attending church. She enjoyed reading, working on craft projects, and playing the piano. Mom and Dad loved playing pinochle with their best friends, Vivian and Byron Baker. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with Dad. She also frequently traveled with her friends. She spent lots of time freezing and canning garden vegetables grown by Dad in his huge gardens. Mom volunteered as a election judge. She also volunteered at the Senior Center, helping with different office projects.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nellie & William Orham and by her husband, Franklin. She is survived by her four children, Patsy Christiansen, Jerry (Nancy) Griffin, Wayne (Karen) Griffin, Barb (Ron) Williams; her sister Hilda Davis; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 9th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., with burial to follow at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. A reception will follow the burial in the social hall of the funeral home. The family would like to thank Aspen Gardens Assisted Living and St. Peter’s Hospital for the loving care she received during her illness. Memorials may be sent to Aspen Gardens Assisted Living, 13 Bumblebee Ct., Helena, MT 59601; Hospice of St. Peter’s and/or to the Alzheimer’s Fund both c/o St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
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Barbara Zimmerman Townsend says
Mrs. Griffin was my first grade teacher at Clancy School back in 1956. I remember her well. My condolences to her family.
Bridget Castle says
Dear Griffin family, I was sorry to hear of your moms passing. I remember coming to pick Barb up and your mom was always in the kitchen doing something! She was always kind and friendly. Heaven has one more angel. God bless you all.
love,
Bridget
Dan & Marj Haggard says
Patsy, Jerry, Wayne, & Barbera, know that our thoughts and prayers go out to you for your loss.
Love to you!!
Dan & Marj
Frances Mower says
We were sadden ti hear of my cousin Patrica’s passing. I remember her as being a special lady who was ready to listen and was always smiling. I have a fond memory of spending a summer with Patricia, Hilda, and Uncle William, at
that time, I was recuperating from rheumatic fever and my parents were in the midst of moving from Stanford to Great Falls. Patricia and I played the piano, fed the chickens and just enjoyed the ranch. She was there to comfort me at night when the coyotes howled .
My sincere condolences
Kittie O'Leary LaFazia says
My condolences to the family of Mrs. Giffin. I was one of her many many students at Ray Bjork elementary (1960-61) I remember her as a very kind and caring teacher. Any one who can teach elementary school for as many years as she did – is amazing in my book
Linda Marcel says
Pat was such a delight her smile brought joy to all who knew her. We all miss her Aspen Gardens.
Linda Marcel
Rob & Shirley Giles says
To the Griffin Family, Our prayers are with you at the loss of a very dear woman. We all have fond memories of her gentle hert and love. May God give you peace through your grievance of losing your dear Mom, Grandma & friend.
Rusty O'Leary says
Mrs. Griffin was my 4th grade tacher at Ray Bjork. I remember a time she called one of the class clowns to the front of the room and had him bend over. She pulled a large stick, with a nail in the end, out of a paper bag. The entire class was shrieking with delight as she spanked the culprit with that foam rubber stick. She was kind, stern and patient. My deepest sympathy.