She was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia on July 30, 1941 to the late Paul & Zetta Mae (Robinson) Doty. And, the love of her life, David B. Griffith, found her on the football field of West Virginal Institute of Technology, as she prepared to be crowned Homecoming Queen, “Miss Golden Bear”. Ann immediately commanded attention, a dynamic humble woman of overwhelming kindness. A veteran middle school teacher, she always cared for her students and loved them dearly.
Married to David, with three loving children of their own, Ann was a dedicated teacher both at work and home alike, she created an environment where everyone always learned & laughed, including herself. She graduated from college with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Home Economics (now an obsolete vocation), with an early aptitude for the skills of homemaking. She excelled as a young teenager achieving 4-H All-Star service award in her home Wirt County, WV.
She cared for everyone under her teaching umbrella: all her teaching experience occurred in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and racially divided school systems. She brought her caring skills to children in need. She made her home warm and welcoming with smells of delicious cooking and each of her children’s favorite cookies.
Ann had the habit of rescuing stray kittens that always seemed to be on her path. She cared for and fed the local raccoons, possums, sand hill cranes, song birds and more. When grandchildren entered the picture, Ann was ever the fun teacher-grandmother who prepared toys and treats and experiences before they even asked!
More chapters of life only brought more adventure… Ann joined David in the engineering firm, and kept his administrative ducks in a row, so they could be free to travel the world together every chance they got! They backpacked for days through the Grand Canyon and the Chilkoot Trail into Yukon Territory. They tracked down the Northern Lights in Alaska, and explored the pyramids of Egypt. In-between times, she nurtured their children with: soccer, T-ball, competitive swimming, and card games of Contract Bridge, Hearts and Spades.
Far from settling down, Ann took up running at age 50 in a serious fashion and completed 8 marathons! She was an active member of the Orlando Runners’ Club and Track Shack MarathonFest and swiftly became dear friends of her running mates. She was selected to represent the Orlando Runners Club exchange program with the sister Japanese Runners Club in Uryasu, Japan. She traveled to Japan for the annual Uryasu half marathon. She attended weekly Florida’s Trails Hiking group for nearly 15 years.
Amidst all of these active and diverse chapters of life, Ann will be remembered as calm, simple, kind and a minimalist… except when it comes to chocolate. And, love.
She is survived by her loving husband, David B. Griffith; her children, Dan Griffith, Kyle Griffith & wife Laura Seifert, and Kelli Griffith, 5 grandchildren: Esperanza, Josie, Forest, Sebastian, Lucas and brother Richard Doty, Elizabeth, WV.
In lieu of flowers, Ann’s Family invites you to make a donation in her name to Second Harvest Food Bank, Orlando.
Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com
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