Decatur – Nancy J. Griffith, 78, of Decatur passed away at 10:40 p.m. Monday, September 20, 2010, in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
A service celebrating her life will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 24, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church, Decatur. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to National Parkinson’s Association, 1501 N. W. 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 or the Decatur/Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation, P.O. Box 633, Decatur, IL 62525. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
Nancy was born September 18, 1932, in Hammond, IN the daughter of Harvey and Francis Roessner. She graduated from George Rogers Clark high school in Hammond and went on to attend and graduate in 1954 from Indiana University. She majored in music and met her future husband, Dr. Thomas Griffith, as they sat next to each other in freshman band. They were married in Chicago on June 18, 1955. Nancy then taught music for a number of years in the Chicago and Gary, Indiana Public School Districts before moving to Decatur in October of 1964. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Decatur where she was also a member of the choir. Her continued interest in music included singing and playing the trombone in the Theater 7 Orchestra. She also belonged to the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and PEO and was a member of the Country Club of Decatur.
Nancy also had a passion for art. She went on to study art at Millikin University and became an award winning artist in Abstract and Still-Life Oil Painting. Many of her paintings have been exhibited at the State Fair and art shows throughout Central Illinois. She was a founding member of the Gallery 510. Nancy also enjoyed tennis, swimming and jogging. Most importantly, Nancy was a gem of a human being who truly loved her husband, children and friends.
Surviving is her husband: Tom of Decatur, children: Lucinda Griffith of Boulder, CO, Tom Griffith Jr. and his wife Eva of Decatur, Allison Hinch and her husband Marc of Decatur, and Amy Graham and her husband Terry of Decatur; sister: Shirley Keane of Fort Wayne, IN; also surviving are ten grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff of DMH 6400 for their superior care and compassion during Nancy’s illness. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
Recuerdos Recientes
I first got to know your family when I'd see you during the summer at the Fairview Park Tuesday night
park races. More than I can express, I admired your family's turnout and your obvious concern for staying healthy. Later I learned we shared a love of music. I recently saw Dr. G. heading to the elevator at DMH. It was hard to hear of the decline in your health. We pray for your family and all of your very close friends.
Condolencias Recientes
| Hendrick Polanco |
My Deepest Condolences |
April 14, 2017 |
My deepest condolences. May these few words from the Holy Scriptures bring you comfort in your time of grief...
John 11:32-45
32 And so Mary, when she arrived where Jesus was and caught sight of him, fell at his feet, saying to him: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping and the Jews that came with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and became troubled; 34 and he said: “Where have YOU laid him?” They said to him: “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus gave way to tears. 36 Therefore the Jews began to say: “See, what affection he used to have for him!” 37 But some of them said: “Was not this [man] that opened the eyes of the blind man able to prevent this one from dying?”
38 Hence Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the memorial tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it.39 Jesus said: “TAKE the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it is four days.”40 Jesus said to her: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Therefore they took the stone away. Now Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 True, I knew that you always hear me; but on account of the crowd standing around I spoke, in order that they might believe that you sent me forth.” 43 And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Laz´a·rus, come on out!” 44The [man] that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Loose him and let him go.”
45 Therefore many of the Jews that had come to Mary and that beheld what he did put faith in him;
Please go to the following link for more information regarding the Hope expressed in this passage
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/dead-live-again-tract/dead-live-again
| Judy (Bear) Weiler |
friend formerly from Decatur |
October 3, 2010 |
Dear Tom and Family,
We were in Decatur right after Nancy's funeral and we were so sorry to hear about her death from mutual friends, Dale and Liz Jones.
I have been gone from Decatur for a long time, but I still remember the Griffith family and fun times at swimming meets, skiing, and parties.
Your entire family has been and still is a great asset to the community. Nancy was such a talented and fun person. I know you will miss her greatly, but what wonderful memories! I especially liked the picture of all of you in the hot tub. Skiing in CO was such a part of your lives for a long time, and it was really clear in that picture how much fun you all had together.
Thinking of you, Judy Bear Weiler from Arizona
| Jim and Sandra Coryell |
Decatur Folk |
September 24, 2010 |
Tom and Family,
We are keeping you close to our hearts as you journey through this time of deep emotions. What an incredible family you are. May God give you courage as you go through the coming days.
Sandra and James Coryell
| Pauline Kovich and Family |
GOOD FRIEND |
September 24, 2010 |
Dear Tom and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Nancy's passing. I know she is at last free of the suffering that she endured these last years. Her wonderful loving happy spirit lives on with you and her family always. She had a wonderful life and she enjoyed it immensely. My prayers go to you Tom for peace and comfort at this time . God Bless you all.
With Deep Affection to all of you ,
Pauline Kovich and Family
| Lou & Toni Jones |
Your Friends |
September 24, 2010 |
Tom and Family,
You are in our thought and prayers. We will always remember our years in Decatur and being great friends with you and Nancy. Our sincere sympathies are with you and your family. Friends Lou & Toni
