December 28, 1921-August 26, 2012
Norma Jean Griffith was born Dec. 28, 1921 in Seattle, Washington to Verona Montgomery Kirkpatrick and Edward Rlyn Kirkpatrick. The family moved to Omaha, Nebraska when Norma was young, she attended Central High and University of Nebraska at Omaha. She transferred to University of Iowa where she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority and earned a BA in English.
She met and married Robert Griffith during WWII and began married life in Cherry Point, North Carolina before moving back to Omaha. There they started their family and a series of moves to many other cities in the U.S.: Des Moines, IA, Arlington Heights, IL, Birmingham, MI and Orinda, CA, where Norma owned and managed a candy store with a close friend. They moved to Federal Way, WA where Norma worked with Laubach Literacy and earned her MA in Early Childhood Development at University of Washington. In the early 1970’s, their children grown, Robert and Norma settled in Ojai. She continued her lifelong membership in the Presbyterian Church and longtime PEO affiliations and activities, as well as her great love of reading with book club friends. She worked as a preschool director and substituted in both private and public schools. Norma and Robert traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Central America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Those close to Norma knew her to be a great listener, a compassionate friend and a wise woman in her own quiet way. Family will also treasure their loving memories of her as the best possible wife, mother and grandmother who always put family first.
Norma is survived by her husband of 66 years Robert Griffith of Ojai, her daughter Laura Schmidt of Davis, CA, daughter Stacey Griffith and husband Jack King of New Bern, N.C., and her daughter Amy and husband Bob Dennis of Ojai. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nick (and wife Melissa) King of Wash. D.C., Jessie Dennis of Greenbrae, CA, James Dennis of San Francisco, CA and Ian Johnson of Stockton, CA.
The family thanks Dr. Sims and Dr. Brockman for their excellent care, Ojai Presbyterian Church minister Jeff Holland for his monthly home visits, her bible study members for their weekly visits and sharing of faith, and dedicated caregivers Elma Cabusas, Olivia Davis, Susan Edge, Dawn Miner, Fanny and Irene Querenquecia.
A memorial service for Norma will be held at the Ojai Presbyterian Church on Thursday, August 30 at 3:00 p.m.
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