Kathe A. Griffin

Kathe A. Griffin (born Anna Maria Katharina Steinmetz): January 9, 1922 – February 25, 2021, Clearwater, FL, formerly of Hudson, FL and Miami, FL, is now resting in Heaven, joining her cherished husband, Thomas Dunham Griffin, her father, Johann Steinmetz and her mother, Katharina Elizabeth Steinmetz. Left to preserve her memory are her loving children: Nelson Griffin (with spouse, Margaret), and Melody Martinez (with husband, George), granddaughters, Olivia Hoch, Erica Kazior and Eilleen Cardone, their husbands, Matt, Andrew and Ryan; grandson, Noah Griffin and his children; and many nieces and nephews in Germany. She will be greatly missed by all, including especially her great-grandchildren, Tommy and Charlotte Cardone, Reese and Dylan Kazior and Katherine and Rebecca Hoch, who will grow up hearing us tell them tales of her life and undying love.

Kathe, 99 years of age, was an amazing woman who lived her life exemplifying the ideals of truth, selflessness and kindness. She treated all she met with respect and how she would want to be treated. She spoke her mind and could be stubborn, but was fiercely loyal and devoted to her family. She was born in Mayen, Germany and grew up in Koeln (Cologne), Germany, being drafted at age 17 to work on the Koeln airport during WWII, where she lived through the horrors of war. This instilled in her empathy for all undergoing hardships, war and hunger, and unfortunately, permanently ruined the spectacle and sounds of fireworks for her. After the war, she met her loving husband, Tommy, an American soldier and jazz musician. They were married in Bad Nauheim, Germany, on August 29, 1947 and she was one of the first war brides to come to her new home in the United States, arriving on the RMS Queen Elizabeth ocean liner to New York City. She lived in Miami, Florida, where she raised her family, until moving with Tommy to Hudson, Florida, to be near her children and grandchildren, who she adored. She was also a devoted daughter and took responsibility for her elderly mother's constant and labor intensive care as her mother grew older. Kathe loved to play golf and card games with friends and family and when her mobility became impaired, she found ways to enjoy these things through video games. She learned to use the internet in her 70’s and well into her 90’s would research medical conditions or play poker online, amassing over $1 million in fake currency against other players, often asking us about acronyms like “NB” (nice bluff). We often wonder what the younger players would think if they knew they were out-maneuvered by someone her age! Despite life's hardships, she maintained a positive attitude, and always adapted to the situation.

Memorials in her honor may be made to Direct Relief https://www.directrelief.org/ Rest well, Kathe, you have earned it. We will never forget your warm smile, profound love and how you filled our days with sunshine.