Mabel was born on March 2, 1942, to John and Ruth Lee. She was the sixth of seven children born to her parents and the last remaining sibling of the Lee Family. She was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and was a 1960 Graduate of Bishop Toolen High School. She married the love of her life, Bill, on May 20, 1961, and remained a wonderful and faithful partner to Bill for 65 years.
Mabel, also known as “Gigi” - which she was affectionately called by her children and grandchildren and frankly most anyone who met her over the last 30 years - never met a stranger. It was common for Gigi to pull out her wallet and show store clerks pictures of her children and grandchildren. Gigi spent her life as a devoted homemaker to Bill and her children. When Gigi was not at home, she was often seen up at St. Ignatius Catholic School where her children all attended. She volunteered frequently, and most everyone who attended there during the 1980s and 1990s will remember her as the ice cream lady. She frequently loaded up her Malibu Station Wagon and drove her children and all their friends on school field trips. Gigi also loved crafting. She was extremely gifted when it came to painting, sewing, and all things craft related. She sewed everything from Confirmation and Prom dresses to Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren. She loved making porcelain dolls and frequently gifted them to friends and family. Gigi was a fabulous cook who could rival any Michelin star chef in the eyes of her husband and kids. Breakfast was always waiting and cooked perfectly to each family member’s liking. Her husband Bill will especially miss her gumbo and homemade beignets, and her kids already miss her baking, especially haystacks. Gigi enjoyed traveling with her husband Bill to Disney World, the Smokey Mountains, and on one occasion to Italy. The only people who she may have adored more than her husband Bill and her children were her ten precious grandchildren. She could often be seen watching them participate in sports, plays, and concerts. She was always happiest when one of them was near. Gigi was a devoted Catholic who attended daily Mass when she could. When Gigi said she would pray for you, she didn’t just say it, she lived it. Some of her last words on earth were those of the Hail Mary.
She is preceded in death by her parents John Edward Lee and Ruth Virginia deBinder Lee, brothers Robert Lee and John Lee, and sisters Ruth Petrie, Elizabeth Smith, Myrtle Smith, and Sharon Lee.
She is survived by her husband William “Bill” J. Griffin, Sr.; her children Bill Jr. (Alice), Pam Williams, Dana Dumont (Eric), and Teresa Heinz (Ben); her grandchildren Ryan Griffin, Sean Griffin, Mason Williams, Abigail Griffin, Griffin Dumont, Connell Heinz, Claiborne Dumont, Clara Heinz, Baylor Dumont and Charles Heinz; and her sister-in-law Barbara Lee.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons Ryan Griffin, Sean Griffin, Mason Williams, Connell Heinz, Baylor Dumont and Charles Heinz.
The family is requesting memorial donations to be sent to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Donations can be made in remembrance of Mabel Lee Griffin to the BrightFocus Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease Research (donate.brightfocus.org), St. Ignatius Catholic Church or your favorite charity. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Crowne Health Care of Springhill, especially to her CNA Dora, and to the staff of Springhill Hospice. Mabel’s last four years were spent at Crowne Health Care of Springhill, where the staff’s compassion and kindness were unrivaled. They truly became our second family.
While her memory was declining over the last few years, her love for her family and their love for her never did. She will forever remain in the hearts of everyone privileged to have known her.
Visitation will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church Parish Hall on Monday June 29, 2026, at 9:30 am to 10:30 am. The Rosary will be said at 10:30 am. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church beginning at 11:00 am. Burial will immediately follow at Pinecrest Cemetery 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL 36605. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
