Bonnie Barbay Griffin

Bonnie was diagnosed six years ago with pulmonary fibrosis, a challenge she faced with courage, humor, and grace. She never let her illness define her — instead, she lived each day with faith, joy, and love.

She was always smiling, never met a stranger, and had a rare gift of making every single person feel like the most important in the world.

She grew up in Arabi, Louisiana, and later raised her family in Chalmette. A woman of deep Catholic faith, she built lifelong friendships and lived her values with devotion. She married her first love, Daryl Griffin, whom she had cherished since high school. Together they shared forty years of marriage, raising their three children before moving to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. For the past five years, Bonnie also shared her life with her loving partner, Joe Montalbano, whose care and companionship brought her comfort and joy.

Bonnie worked many years at ExxonMobil Refinery, where her strength and dedication were admired. She also inspired many across the nation as a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, where her determination and joyful spirit touched countless people. Her heart for service and faith was deeply rooted in St. Mark’s, where she found both purpose and community.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Daryl, and her parents, Roland and Mercedes Barbay. She is survived by her daughter Kimmie Griffin Nowak (Shawn), her sons Craig Griffin (Amy) and Kirk Griffin; her cherished grandchildren: Brock and Brennan Nowak, Olivia and Hayden Griffin, and Jonathan Fanning, Jenna and Jacob Griffin; and her adored great-grandchildren: Kash, Kain, Emma, Nicholas, and Annah. She also leaves behind her siblings, nieces, nephews, and countless friends who will forever carry her love in their hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (pulmonaryfibrosis.org) or the American Lung Association (lung.org), to support research and help others affected by pulmonary fibrosis.

Bonnie’s legacy is one of faith, resilience, and kindness. She will be remembered for her deep Catholic passion, her joyful smile, and her boundless love as a Mom and Maw-Maw.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation for Bonnie to be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA 70043, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 AM. She will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.