Obituary of Else Marie Griffin

Griffin, Else Marie Else Marie Griffin died peacefully in the evening of July 2, 2012 at Elizabeth Church Manor following four months of unexpected illness. Else was born on March 13, 1937 in Odense, Denmark only a few streets away from the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson. She attended school and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics in Denmark. Else worked as a bank auditor in Denmark and later retired as a bank officer from the International Division of Citicorp., located in New York City, in 1973. Her interests included Norwegian folk dancing, embroidery, nature, as well as camping and travel. She had spent most of childhood traveling and camping throughout Europe on the back of a motorcycle. An avid reader and letter writer for most of her life, Else also loved animals and will be missed by her two cats, Blackie and Kelly. Else was a lifelong member of the Sons of Norway, a passionate walker and cross country skier, and enjoyed her retirement years living in her "vacation home" along the Susquehanna River in the Castle Gardens community in Vestal. In addition to being an active member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary at Our Lady of Sorrows, a volunteer at The Keepsake Village at The Hearth at Castle Gardens, Else was also a dedicated Literacy Volunteer to a Korean student for four years. Else was predeceased by her parents, Hans Christian and Edith Hansen. She is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Dr. Edward J. Griffin; her two daughters, Teresa (Matt Steflik) of Endwell and Lt. Col. UMC Kristina Griffin (Don Williams) of Washington, D.C.; and her beloved grand-daughter, Sarah of Endwell. Else's family would like to thank everyone involved in her care at Elizabeth Church Manor and Lourdes Hospital for their loving care during her stay with them. They are especially grateful for the prayers of friends and parishioners during her illness. The family will receive friends at Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home, 765 Main Street, Vestal, NY 13850 on Friday from 4-7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows, 157 Clark St, Vestal, NY 13850 on Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by a light luncheon in the Parish Hall. An internment of her ashes will be held the following week for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the individual's personal charity, as Else was a devoted volunteer and contributor to animal, wildlife, and elderly causes.