Joan Wyeth Griggs

Griggs, Joan Wyeth 89, of St. Petersburg, FL, died Thursday, March 24, at her home in the presence of her family. Joan was born in New York City, the third daughter of architect Marion Sims Wyeth and Eleanor Orr Wyeth of Palm Beach, FL. Joan graduated from Chatham Hall boarding school and the Clarence White School of Photography in New York. She practiced photography until 1942, when she married Theodore Wright Griggs II of St. Paul, MN. She and Ted lived in St. Paul for 10 years before moving in 1955 to Tampa, FL, where they raised five children. Joan studied art at the University of Tampa including ceramics, art history, drawing, painting, print-making and sculpture. She taught ceramics and worked on her art at her home studio and at the University. She was an avid birder, nature lover and fly-fishing expert. Joan and Ted moved to Westminster Shores in St. Petersburg in 2001. Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Wright Griggs II, in 2001, and a sister, Florence Johnson. She is survived by a sister, Alice Barkhausen, of Lake Forest, IL; brother, Marion Sims Wyeth II, of Katonah, NY; four sons, Theodore Wright Griggs III, of Ashland, WI, John Wyeth Griggs (Debra), of Reston, VA, Stephen B. Griggs (Lucy), of Tampa, FL; James M. S. Griggs (Carol), of Titusville, FL, and a daughter, France Griggs Sloat (William), of Cincinnati, OH; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for Sat., April 2, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., St. John's Episcopal Church, 906 S. Orleans Ave., Tampa. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg, FL. 33705, or the International Crane Foundation, E. 11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, WI. 53913-0447.