Beatrice M. Griffin

Beatrice M. Griffin, 96, of Sanford, died on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at the Greenwood center in Sanford.Beatrice was born in Calais, Maine on July 4, 1916 to Charles and Phelonese (Melanson) Grant. Her father died when she was two years and her mother relocated the family to Sanford where she grew up and attended local schools. Two years after relocating to Sanford Beatrice's mother married William Doiron who raised Beatrice as his own. In 1938 Beatrice married Merle Belmont Griffin. Together they raised two daughters and shared nearly 50 years of Marriage until his death in 1988.Beatrice was employed for many years in the local shoe shops. She was a devout Catholic and was a communicant to St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church. Beatrice enjoyed going shopping and spending time with her family. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Beatrice was predeceased by her husband, Merle Belmont Griffin and by two siblings, Paul Grant and Charlotte Miles.Surviving are two daughters, Paula Guido of Orlando, Florida and Janet Zappala of Sanford; six grandchildren, Stephen Lenzi of Orlando, Florida, Cheryl Lenzi of Orlando, Florida, Christina Dent of Orlando, Florida, Brandi Barber of Eustis, Florida, James Guido of Ocoee, Florida and John Zappala of Farmington, New Hampshire; many great grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren and a sister, Bertha Tremblay of Wayne, Pennsylvania.Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 26th at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home located at 29 Winter Street in Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 27th at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church, located on Payne Street in Springvale.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island Suite 300, Topsham, Maine 04086.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com