Barbara Ann Griffin

Barbara Ann (Block) Griffin, age 84 of Kettering Ohio passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband, John Griffin and their 3 daughters, Elizabeth (Lisa) Barthel, Jennifer Fleming and Laurie Must. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Ola Block and is survived by her sisters Kathy (Mike-deceased) Miles and Mary (Tony) Miller.

Barb was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1941 and attended the University of Detroit, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. There she met the love of her life, John. They married June 13, 1964, and shared 61 wonderful years together. They eventually made their home in Dayton to start their careers and family where Barb started her teaching career. She dedicated 31 years to teaching 1st and 3rd grade, 28 of those years at St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering Ohio. She became a guiding light touching countless lives with her kindness, patience and faith. She received numerous awards, like the Golden Apple but her greatest joy was always the children she taught, with compassion, patience, and faith. Barbara was a teacher to her core. She loved her students unconditionally for their strengths and weaknesses and dedicated herself to their success. She was a member and officer of the Philanthropic Education Organization, PEO, and a faithful member of St. Charles Catholic Church.

She was a devoted mother of Elizabeth, Jennifer and Laurie, raising her daughters with the same care she showed her students. She had a special place in her heart for her sons-in-laws, Brett Barthel, Mark Fleming and Bart Must. Barbara was a proud and loving grandmother to her 11 grandchildren (Carli, Parker, Sam, Brooke and Mac Barthel) (Sam and JJ Fleming) (Griffin, Grant, Addy and Lily Must) who meant the world to her.

She had a passion for photography, especially capturing the beauty of flowers, only surpassed by her dedication to document the lives of her grandchildren. Each year, she lovingly gifted them a personalized photo album, a treasured tradition that will live on as part of her legacy. She was the family’s source of wisdom, always ready with thoughtful advice, quick wit, and a loving heart.

Barbara had a deep love for classic Hollywood films and remained an avid movie fan throughout her life. She was famously unbeatable at Trivia Pursuit, especially the entertainment category. We always fought to have her on our team. Barbara enjoyed playing the guitar, working with ceramics, knitting scarves and blankets for family, reading and traveling with John and their friends.

She was also a devoted fan of the University of Dayton Flyers basketball team, you could always count on her to cheer them on. During the Oscars or a Flyers game, she was joyfully unavailable, fully immersed in the moment. Her Christian faith was an integral part of her life and guided her in all that she did.

Barbara will be remembered for her unwavering love of God, her family and her friends. She will be missed beyond words but forever held close in the hearts of those who loved her.

Her Mass of Christian burial will be at 11AM on Tuesday, May 19th at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (4500 Ackerman Blvd Dayton, OH 45429). Visitation is from 10AM -11AM before mass.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research