Kathleen Griffin

Kathleen Elaine Griffin passed away peacefully the morning of September 12, 2016. She was a daughter, sister, Navy wife, mother, Nana, and Great Nana. Born Kathleen E. Reilley to Elaine and John Reilley in Danbury, IA. She will always be “33” years old. Her family moved to Long Beach, CA where she met many longtime friends and graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School. Kathleen married her husband on their first date in Las Vegas, NV and their marriage lasted 50 years. He would later become Captain Jack R. Griffin USN and preceded her to heaven. She gave Captain Jack six children (3 boys and 3 girls) and they followed him around the world. A Military service member has no better support system than their spouse and family to remind them what they are fighting for. Kathleen was that faithful and supportive wife and mother. Her children consider her the best mother of all and they pass her love down to her 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Kathleen was the second of four children. The oldest is her brother Dale (deceased) married to Flori, her younger brother John (Jack) married to Jillian (deceased) and the youngest sister Corrine married to Carlos all living in California. Kathleen’s in-laws are Charles & Grace Griffin (both deceased) and Dale & Letti Randel. Her children are Michael Kevin (deceased), Jack Ross Jr. married to Sherri, Kelli Elaine Kirelawich married to Charlie, Deborah Eileen Malatino married to Raymond, Marianne Leigh Prine (deceased) married to Richard, and Carl Richard married to Deborah. Kathleen transitioned from her mortal body to be with our Lord and to join her love Captain Jack who has been waiting 14 years. She will be buried with Captain Jack in Arlington National Cemetery. People remember Kathleen as always wearing bright, colorful clothing, and sparkles from her head down to her shoes. She was the life of any party. She leaves behind her family as well as many longtime friends from Herndon, VA, Panama Canal Zone, Merritt Island, FL and Long Beach, CA who all miss her sparkle in our lives. A mass of Resurrection will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, 17, 2016 at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5655 Stadium Parkway, Viera, FL. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. You can sign Kathleen’s guest book at www.beckmanwilliamsonviera.com