Joanne M. Griffin
March 25, 1934 ~ December 19, 2021
Resided in:
Scarborough, ME
Portland- Joanne M. Griffin, 87, died peacefully on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough following a long and courageous battle with dementia.
She was born in New Bedford, MA on March 25, 1934 the daughter of the late Francis E. and Grace M. (Servello) Russo. Joanne grew up in numerous towns eventually ending up in Portland, Maine. She attended Deering High School, was president of the art club, an avid bowler at the Big 20 and a member of the Riverside Golf Course, graduating in 1951.
On October 17, 1953, Joanne married the love of her life, Eugene R. Griffin at the Rectory of the former St. Patrick's Church in Portland.
Joanne began her work life at New England Telephone Company, was a co-owner of a card shop, an employee of Gardner's Hallmark, and loved being a nanny for numerous families in the Greater Portland area.
Joanne was an avid Red Sox fan (at times when others had given up) a community librarian at her home in Vero Beach, and a talented bowler and competitive shuffleboard player. In addition to her accomplishments, she loved creating arts and crafts and sharing her work with friends, adored being a mom to her 3 boys, and celebrated a loving marriage to her husband Gene of almost 70 years.
Joanne spent the last few years of her life lovingly cared for by the employees of the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough.
She is survived by her husband, Eugene R. Griffin of Portland; three sons, William Griffin (grandchildren, Justin, Kristina and Anthony), Thomas Griffin and his wife Mary Ann (grandchildren, Michael and his wife Linda, Kelsey and her husband Joseph Orbaczewski, and Sean), Timothy Griffin and his wife Carla (grandchildren, Emily and Chloe); and her sister, Mary Lou Brindisi.
Please join the family to remember Joanne on Tuesday, January 4, 2021 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, ME. A celebration of life will be held in the spring. To view Joanne's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
Those who wish may make contributions in Joanne's memory to: Maine Veterans Home, Activities Fund, 290 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074
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Sent with love and remembrance, a living tribute to a beautiful and generous spirit.
– Bobby and Ruth Finegold
From the first time we met in Heritage “Village” we were best of friends as were our hubbies. Not many memories of those days are without Gene and Joanne. Bowling, dances, pot luck committee, Thanksgiving Indians and Pilgrims, Dodgertown. Movie nights. We will always treasure our “good times” and hold dear each and every memory. The Griffin family became ours because Joanne was so proud of them and shared their lives with us. With love, Marian and Jim
– Marian and Jim
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Funeral Home
– A Memorial Tree was planted for Joanne M. Griffin
With deepest symptathy. We will always cherish our memories with “Mrs. Griffin.” With Love – The Radgowski’s
– Jeff Radgowski
So sorry unable to Attend the services. Our prayers and thoughts will be there on 1-4-2022.Please accept condolences for Gene and the whole family.
– Evelyn&Bob Twomey
Dear ‘Old’ Neighbors, I wanted to extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Joanne. She was always sweet, kind, and so funny! I always loved her big smile! She brought so much fun to Alden Circle. From the Muscular Dystrophy carnivals in your backyard, to the gathering of the adults in the Mack’s driveway on a hot summer’s night. The adults sat in lawn chairs and chatted, and the kids that couldn’t sleep because of the heat, would play and take walks around the circle. I remember when Frank and Grace lived there, and when your cousins Michael and Anthony would stay with you. She helped instill that sense of family for me, by witnessing her generosity. I had intended to make an in person condolence call, but my mom’s cousin passed on Dec.30th, so we have to sit shiva there. I still drive by all the houses on Alden Circle, and think of what a great start that neighborhood gave to us. BTW, my mom just turned 90 on Dec. 29th, and is in a facility in CA., so we’re also living with cruelties of dementia. I hope that you all get through this, as i know that it is a huge loss for you. Sending lots of love, Patti Gilbert
– Patti Gilbert-McCallum
Gene and family, Our sincere condolences! Ann, Tom, Katya, Hillary and Ellie
– Ann Zdanowicz Nash