Friday, September 12, 2008

Walsenburg Bear Hunt

The Griffith Guys added a new animal to their hunting experience. They visited the Garcia's family ranch where bears have become quite numerous and came home with a blonde/cinnamon-colored black bear. They got to do quite a bit of hiking through some really beautiful country and actually encountered three bears together.

"Were you scared, Jack?"

"No; not really." Ignorance truly is bliss.

Lily Begins Preschool


On the first day, she threw her arms around my neck and said, "Mommy, don't leave me!"

There were tears. (I'm not sure if there were more coming from my eyes or hers.)

On the second day, I said, "Lily, it's time to get ready for school." On the way, Lily said, "It's OK, Mommy. You can leave me at school. I have a lot of fun at school."

Family Visits Here & There

Nana and Pop were with us at the beginning of August and they brought Nick this time. He and Jack had a great time catching up and exploring. A week later, Uncle Rick and Noreen from Erie and cousins Scott, Ousaima, Keenan and Leta from NYC came for a visit. We met them in Estes Park where they were staying at the YMCA of the Rockies. It's an awesome place to stay for family fun. John and Scott, who had played together when they were young, had a great time introducing the next generation of cousins to each other.

Unfortunately, the visit was cut short. Grandma Griffith passed away on August 27th and everyone (including John) traveled back for the funeral. John was glad to be able to be with family and remember Grandma. She will be dearly missed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Lucille S. Griffith

Lucille S. Griffith Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother Lucille S. Griffith, 89, of Erie, passed away Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at St. Vincent Health Center. She was born August 9, 1919, in Jersey City, N.J., a daughter of the late Joseph and Florence Mandel Shopp. She had worked for the Pa. Department of Public Assistance and Penn Traffic Co in Johnstown. She was a founding member of St. Luke Parish where she was a Eucharistic Minister, was on the board of the Altar and Rosary Society and sang in the choir. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang with the Siebenbuerger Singers and the Fun Chorus of Englewood, Fla. She also enjoyed baking and gardening. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Shopp and a sister, Irene Jensen. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John J. Griffith; four sons, John J. Griffith, wife Barbara, of North Syracuse, N.Y., Robert J. Griffith, wife Toni, of Erie, Richard E. Griffith, wife Noreen, of Erie and Jeffery P. Griffith, wife Susan, of Erie; two daughters, Linda Kester of Erie and Mary Anne Beljan, husband James, of Columbus, Ohio; a sister, Eleanor Diefenbach, husband Donald, of Cincinnati, Ohio; 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the A. Brugger & Sons Funeral Home, LLP, 845 E. 38th St. and Pine Ave., Monday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and attend services there Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass at St. Luke Church at 10 a.m. Burial in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Luke School Scholarship Fund, 425 E. 38th St., Erie, PA 16504. Condolences at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits

Tuesday, September 2, 2008