Kathryn P. Griffin

Kathryn Griffin

My spouse. Our mother. Our grandmother. Our aunt. Our friend. Our love.

Kathryn, better known to some as Pat, lived a humble, beautiful life filled with the joy of family, faith, and friendship. Her journey began when she was baptized in 1933 at St. Agatha's Parish in Brooklyn, NY. Ruth and William Keeler, Kathryn's parents, adored their daughter, who brought nothing but love and pride to their lives. She was a devoted and caring big sister to her brother William, who loves her deeply. 

After graduating from St. Joseph's High School in Brooklyn, Kathryn went on to work at the Equitable Life Insurance Company in Manhattan. It was there that she met her love, Cornelius "Neil" Griffin. Neil was immediately smitten with Kathryn and shortly thereafter fell head over heels in love with her. That love rages still, strong within his heart, some 68 years later.

Neil and Kathryn welcomed eight children into their lives (Mary, Cornelius, Ruth, Kathryn, Veronica, Regina, Helen, and Christopher). Kathryn embraced and cherished her role as caregiver and parent. Throughout the years, Kathryn cultivated a home that was rooted in faith, love, joy, and forgiveness. Kathryn's arms were always open wide for her children, regardless of where they were in their own lives. Over the years, Kathryn's family blossomed, welcoming sons and daughters in marriage, 26 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, all of whom love and adore her. 

Kathryn's Catholic faith was the torch that she carried with her always. Throughout her journey, that torch provided the light she needed to navigate both the happy and the challenging times. Her love for Jesus, and His Mother Mary, was the foundation from which she experienced the world and others. In all of her relationships, she shared this light, and, in response, she received the gift of love from all whom she encountered. To nourish and sustain her faith, Kathryn participated in prayer groups, read her bible, and traveled to holy sites around the world. In her final days, Kathryn endured suffering and pain. Even as she declined, she lived her life undeterred, faithful and confident in her devotion. She remains, and always will be, a model of a Catholic life well lived.  

Both in sorrow and joy, her extensive family and her many friends remember and love her. We will miss Kathryn and long for her humor, kindness, and compassion. But we will live on joyfully, cherishing the belief that her loving and open arms will welcome us home when it is our time.