Joyce Griffin, 94
Joyce Griffin, 94, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2017, the first day of spring, with her family by her side, after five years of loving care at the Brendan House in Kalispell.
Joy was born in Chester (Cheshire County), England, to Frank and Florence (Clark) Yarwood, on Oct. 6, 1922. Raised on the family farm with her sister Alma, Joy later served in the British Women’s Army, as a physical education instructor, and then as a secretary. During this time, Joy met and married Sgt. John J. Griffin – who was serving in the U.S. Army there during World War II. After the war, John returned to the U.S. to continue medical treatments for an injury. Joy came to the U.S. some months later aboard the Red Cross ship Willard H. Holbrook, along with many other war brides. Her parents and sister later followed, and also lived in Connecticut.
John and Joy were blessed with four healthy children, Rod, Cheryl, Colleen and Tim, after their first daughter was stillborn. In 1956, the Griffin family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida – along with John’s parents – and finished raising their family there.
Joy was an active volunteer for the Red Cross and the PTA, and enjoyed singing with the “Choral Belles.” In the early ‘70s, John and Joy moved back to Connecticut to be near her mother and sister. John passed away suddenly in June 1980. After his passing, Joy worked at the Westover School for Girls in Middlebury, Connecticut. for many years. She also volunteered for the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) and in the local garden club. In the early ‘90s, Joy re-connected with an old friend from her school days. She returned to England and spent several happy years with John Whitby, until his passing. Joy then moved back to the U.S., this time to Schuylerville, in upstate New York, where her children and grandchildren were living. Joy lived at Morgan’s Run, a senior apartment facility, and had many good friends there. She especially enjoyed family get-togethers, and enjoyed many happy hours with her children and grandchildren. Joy also volunteered her time to the Schuylerville Historical Society and her local garden club.
In 2009, Joy’s health required that she move to Lakeside to live with her son Rod, his wife Bev, and their three children. After three years in Lakeside, Joy moved to the Brendan House in Kalispell in 2012, where she lived and had many friends until her passing.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 35 years, John; her in-laws, John Griffin Sr. and his wife Selma; and her daughter Colleen.
She is survived by her sister Alma, and children Jean and Steve of Oakville, Connecticut; her son Rod and his wife Bev, and their children Gilly, Jonner and Kenzie of Lakeside; her daughter, Cheryl, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and children Jenna and Emily; her son Tim and his wife Patty, of New Port Richey, Florida, and children Eric and Darcy; and Colleen’s children, Sarah, Mike and Cody, of upstate New York, as well as three great-grandchildren. Joy also leaves behind many special friends, including Ginny Donnelly of Naugatuck, Connecticut, and Esther Blair and Martin Casey of Schuylerville.
Joy was an independent minded lady, and was a kind and generous person. She loved music, knitting and gardening. She will be dearly missed.
No local services are planned. There will be a family graveside service in the fall in Prospect, Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a little something to your local animal shelter in Joy’s memory.
God bless you Mom … rest in peace.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Griffin family.