Ruth L. Griffith

Ruth grew up in Michigan, graduating from Morenci Michigan High School in 1947 as Valedictorian. She then attended Albion College in Albion, Michigan where she met and married William (Bill) Griffith. Both graduated in 1952 and Ruth graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

They moved to Arlington Heights where Bill soon opened the Griffith Insurance Agency. After raising four children, Ruth enrolled at Rosary College in 1969 where she earned a master’s degree in Library Science, graduating in 1971 with honors and Beta Phi Mu. Ruth worked for a year as a reference librarian at the Elk Grove Library and then became Head of Youth Services at The Arlington Heights Memorial Library, a position she held until her retirement in November 1990. She was elected as President of the Children’s Division of the Illinois Library Association in 1978 and named Illinois Children’s Librarian of the Year in 1983. After retiring, Ruth discovered quilting, an avocation she pursued for the next 25 years. Some quilts won awards and many keep family members and friends warm today.

Ruth was the beloved wife of the late William Griffith; loving mother of Libby (Tom) Griffith, John (Diane) Griffith, Bob (Jackie) Griffith and Heidi (Steve) Bradfield; cherished grandmother of Melissa (Shawn) Lofton, Erin (John) DiCapo, Kyle Griffith, Brendan (Lynn) Griffith, Cory (Cassandra) Griffith, Garett Griffith, Maia Griffith, Kayla Griffith, Samantha Bradfield and Andy (Sarah) Bradfield; great-grandmother of Mason, Ryker, Lucy, Gianna and Ava; dear sister of Mary Lord, Lloyd Lord, Cynthia Rayman, Charline Farrell and the late Paul Lord, Tracy Lord, George Lord and Harold Lord and fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be Friday, September 30, 2022 from 3-8 PM with a Celebration of Life Service at 7:00 PM. The service will be live streamed beginning at 6:45 PM.

To view the the service please go to: https://www.asimplestreaming.com/rlgriffith.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ruth’s name to the Arlington Heights Wheeling Township Emergency Fund, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lauterburgoehler.com for the Griffith family.