Joyce Griffin , 94 – Passed away peacefully on March 20 , 2017 – the first day of Spring , with her family by her side , after 5 years of loving care at the Brendan House in Kalispell , Montana . Joy was born in Chester ( Cheshire County ) , England to Frank and Florence ( Clark ) Yarwood , on October 6 , 1922. Raised on the family farm with her sister Alma , Joy later served in the British Womens’ 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 WWII . 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 4 healthy children ( Rod , Cheryl , Colleen and Tim ) , after their first daughter was stillborn . In 1956 , the Griffin family moved to St. Petersburg , Fl. – 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 70’s , 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 , Ct. for many years . She also volunteered for the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF ) and in the local garden club . In the early 90’s , 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 , Montana to live with her son Rod , his wife Bev , and their 3 children . After 3 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 by her daughter Colleen . She is survived by her sister Alma and children Jean and Steve of Oakville , Ct. , her son Rod and his wife Bev and their children Gilly , Jonner and Kenzie of Lakeside , Mt. , her daughter Cheryl , of St. Petersburg , Fl., and children Jenna and Emily , her son Tim and his wife Patty , of New Port Richey , Fl. and children Eric and Darcy , and Colleen’s children Sarah , Mike and Cody of upstate NY , as well as 3 great grandchildren . Joy also leaves behind many special friends – including Ginny Donnelly , of Naugatuck , Ct . , and Esther Blair and Martin Casey of Schuylerville , NY . 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 , Ct. 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 .

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