Obituary of Joanne Marie Griffith

Joanne Griffith (69), of Liverpool, died July 4, 2018 with her family by her side. Joanne was born in Albany to the late Richard McCrum and Ellen Whigham on July 27, 1948. After the family moved to Syracuse, Joanne graduated from Nottingham High School in 1966. It was then she began her career with Wegmans until she retired in 2013. Joanne loved to cook for a crowd and was an incredibly artistic person in all aspects of her life. Her style and signature red lips guaranteed she lit up any room she walked into. Her humor and optimism banded her family together during her battle with cancer. Other than her cozy home, there’s no place that Joanne loved more than Cape Cod. 

Joanne is survived by her loving husband and best friend of 37 years, Douglas E. Griffith; devoted daughter Heidi (Scott) Herrmann; the light of her life, grandson Coltrane Herrmann; her sister Maryellen (David) Smith, with whom she shared a bond that will never be broken; her “baby” brother Richard (Karen) McCrum, whom she loved dearly; niece, Sarah (Paul) Valenti; nephew Jonathan (Kelly) McCrum; niece Cassandra McCrum; and her great niece and nephews Izabella, Roman, and Jaxson. Joanne and her family were blessed that she was able to spend the last of her days at Francis House, where the caregivers became part of the family and made her final days the best they could possibly be. The family would like to acknowledge the dedication, love, and support from every single staff member and volunteer who they had the pleasure to meet at Francis House. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Francis House at www.francishouseny.com, or sent directly to Francis House at 108 Michaels Ave. Syracuse, NY 13208. There will be no calling hours, but a celebration of life will be planned in the future.