Estelle Friday Griffith

GRIFFITH, ESTELLE ONEIDA FRIDAY, 97, of Orlando, Florida passed away on July 19, 2025. Estelle was born in Phoenixville, PA, August 8, 1927, and was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Harold L. Griffith (1923-2014), also of Phoenixville. She is survived by daughters Linda M. Griffith of Gettysburg, PA, and Suzie O’Hara (Jeff) of Windermere; grandsons Sean O’Hara (Sasha) and Ryan O’Hara, great-granddaughter Micaela O’Hara, and great-grandson Connor Jeffrey O’Hara, all of Orlando.

Following graduation from Bloomsburg State Teachers College, PA, Estelle taught high school business education in Paradise, Lancaster County, PA. In 1951 she married Harold, then a pilot and meteorologist with the US Air Force, and they drove from PA to Edwards AFB, CA. They then traveled to USAF assignments in England and the United States, including Hawaii. When their daughters were young, Estelle held teaching certificates in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Nebraska, and Tennessee, taught part-time, and earned her MS in Business Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Following Harold’s USAF retirement, they relocated to the Orlando, FL, area when he joined the Department of Engineering Technology, Florida Technological University, later University of Central Florida, in 1973. Estelle was legal secretary to Bernard D. Sommers, Esq., in Winter Park, FL, until she and Harold retired in 1989. She was a life member of Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Daughters of the War of 1812. She volunteered widely, and enjoyed many social groups throughout her life, including Phoenixville High School Cheerleader, USAF Officers Wives Club, Sunday School Teacher, Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader, Train Collectors Association Southern Division Secretary, Embroiderers Guild of America and Garden Club. Estelle and Harold were members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, VA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida.

Please see the section titled, "Add A Memory" to leave condolences for Estelle's family.