Joan F. (McDermott) Griffin
Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister;
Joan F. (McDermott) Griffin, 86, of Exeter, New Hampshire, but formerly of Rye, New Hampshire, passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Riverwoods- Exeter Assisted Living in Exeter, NH.
She was the loving wife of the late Warren D. Griffin.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, April 27, 1937, the daughter of the late Henry and the late Emily (McNamara) McDermott, she attended Lowell Schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School.
For Joan, it was all about family, and she cherished her time with them, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Joan spent her life making others the focus. She took up healthy cooking and daily exercise in devotion to ensuring Warren remained in good health after having a major heart attack at a young age. She taught us how to be engaged in our community and church by being the ever-ready volunteer, but never in the spotlight. She had impeccable taste in her clothes and was always dressed in the latest fashions, a trait that continues to live through the ages in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And although she was never looking to be the center of attention, she would like you to have noticed the perfect outfit that she put together for the occasion.
Joan was very talented and creative. She loved the holidays where those talents were showcased. Her home was always festively decorated with her many hand-made creations. In fact, there’s a good possibility that she was the originator of the popular “kissing ball”, because she hung pine filled baskets with sparkling white lights and a big red bow across the front porch of Andover Street. It was even in a Boston magazine one year! Vacations were a special part of her life. Starting with summers at Hampton Beach; winters in the White Mountains; a home in Florida with many trips to Disney; trips to Ireland and fun family cruises.
To the outside world, Joan was quiet and reserved. But she had a hidden humor of one-liners that she would share if you were the lucky one sitting next her. Her home had an open door to friends and family, no matter the time of day or night. If the doorbell rang, you could be sure to be greeted with a gentle smile, a seat at the table and a warm cup of tea.
She is survived by a daughter: Mary Jo (Griffin) Flood and her husband Edward “Ned” of Lowell, MA; two sons John T. Griffin and his wife Alison of Portsmouth, NH, and Daniel P. Griffin and his wife Joanne of Titusville, Florida; five grandchildren Caitlin Campopiano and her husband William of Chelmsford, MA, Colleen Ferry of Chelmsford, MA, Stephanie Jacques and her husband Chistopher of Dracut, MA, Griffin Tavallai and his fiancé Brianna Woods of Merrimack, NH, and Grace Griffin of Portsmouth, NH; five great-grandchildren Liam, Colin, Vivian, Olivia, and Austin; a brother Henry McDermott and his wife Judy of North Andover, MA; a sister Joyce Saboliauskas of Chelmsford, MA; a sister-in-law Mary Ellen Fennessy-McDermott of Rye, NH; she is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.She was the mother of the late William “Billy” Griffin and the sister of the late Carol Smith and the late William McDermott.
Relatives and friends may attend her Visitation at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in Lowell on Friday January 19, 2024, from 9:30 until 10:45 A.M. followed by her Funeral Mass to be celebrated at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in Lowell at 11:00 A.M. Burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to Hospice Compassus 1 Bedford Farm Drive Suite 2 D, Bedford, NH, 03110. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – MA- (978)-458-8768.
|
Obituaries Notices 
