Frances was born on January 28, 1928 in East Brooklyn, CT, the daughter of William Arthur Whitman and Ada Mae (Preston) Whitman. She graduated from Killingly HS, Danielson, CT in 1946, and later took courses at the University of Rhode Island, Providence.
She married Bruce R. Lamb on October 16, 1948. He predeceased her in September of 1965. She then married John E. Griffiths Jr. on July 8, 1966. He predeceased her on May 13, 1994.
Frances was always a farm girl, from raising goats in East Brooklyn, CT to working with her second husband, John on Oakdell Farm, in Sterling CT. They later relocated to Milford, NY, where for 18 years they owned and operated the Hemlock Valley farm, expanding the herd and barns, installing ground silos and a central milking parlor. She was the pioneer at Hemlock Valley in developing computer usage for tracking the herd and farm expenses. Later, she achieved some notoriety for her herd of miniature donkeys.
She was active in churches throughout her life. During the late 1950’s-early 1960’s, she served as one of the first women Sunday School superintendents in a Baptist Church in Danielson, CT, and headed several summers of inter-church Vacation Bible School. She was very active in Golden Heirs in the 1990’s in Oneonta. Her last church home was Milford Center Community Bible Church.
She traveled all over the US and Canada with second husband John, and later she took a trip to Israel & Greece with a group from Oneonta. In 2002, she and close friends Lydia and Dottie joined her son Randy's group on a 2 week trip to England, where she saw the Queen (and exchanged waves).
The family would like to extend special thanks to the dedicated staffs of Fox Nursing Home where she spent her last few months, and Woodside Hall where she attended weekly program activities for the previous 5 years. Also, we are thankful for caregivers Suzie, Sharon, Susan, Lori, Kerri who helped her during Randy's overseas trips, and most especially to Joanie who was her long term caregiver and boon companion over the past ten years.
Frances is survived by 3 sons, Randall P. Lamb (Joan) of Maryland NY, David W. Lamb (Linda) of Chittenango, NY, and Mark A. Lamb (Deborah) of Oneonta, NY; 3 stepsons, Donald B. Griffiths (Jackie) of TN, Barry L. Griffiths (Chris) of Springfield Center, NY, and Robbin T. Grffiths, of Ormond Beach, FL; 12 Grandchildren, Raymond H. Lamb (Kate) of Lancaster, PA, Susan E. Lamb of NYC, Sara Sherlock (Patrick)of N. Syracuse, NY, Laura Byham (Matt) of Rochester, NY, Jessica Lamb of Boonville, NY, Lisa Vance (Robert) of Oneonta, NY, Paul Griffiths of TN, Jason Griffiths of Danielson, CT, Jodi Mravjla of Cherry Valley, NY, Judi Lusk (Drew) of Cherry Valley, NY, Jermey Griffiths (Michelle) of Richfield Springs, NY, and John C. Griffiths (Tara) of SC; 17 Great Grand Children, Derek Griffiths, Christopher Mravjla, Sandra Mrajlva, Jolene Lusk, Andrew Lusk, Bailey Lusk, Hayden Griffiths, Bo Griffiths, Eli Griffiths-Easley, Jack Sherlock, Ian Sherlock, Maggie Grace Sherlock, Carter Byham, Jacob Byham, Claudia Halstead, Kyle Cuba, Kari Cuba; and one GREAT GREAT granddaughter Phoenix Mravlja.
She is also survived by special niece Dorothy Blocker of Hampton, CT, and life-long BFF Louise Salmon of Danielson, CT.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Bruce R. Lamb and John E. Griffiths Jr., and her 5 siblings, Olive, George, Mildred, Philip and Robert.
Friends are invited to greet the family on Saturday, July 13, 2019 beginning at 11 am at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, NY, where a Service of Celebration will take place immediately following at 12 pm, officiated by Rev. Stephen D. Fourier with Rev. Randall Lamb.
Burial will take place at the convenience of the family in Griffiths Homestead Cemetery, Sterling, CT.
In lieu of flowers, if anyone wishes, contributions may be made in memory of Frances Griffiths to Milford Center Community Bible Church, 2582 Route 28, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
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