Obituary

Marie Jeanette Griffith

Marie Jeanette Griffith died in her Newport Beach home on April 18 in the same manner in which she lived her 97 years of life: with great grace and dignity.

Daughter of James and Wilma Anderson, Marie grew up in the Ocean Park neighborhood of Los Angeles with her brother Jim and sister Margaret.  She graduated from St. Monica’s High School and attended UCLA where she met her first husband, the star pitcher Rudy Hummes.

Marie and Rudy raised their four daughters Jonie (Joe), Mary Lynne, Katie (Jim) and Peggy (Jim) in the Los Angeles area surrounded by many of Marie’s close Irish relatives, the Fox-Nolan clan.     Rudy passed away at the age of 60.

In l985, Marie married William Griffith whom she met on the 19^th hole of Wilshire Country Club.  Marie and Bill enjoyed a rich retired life together, living first in Pacific Palisades, then, Murrieta, Corona del Mar and finally Newport Beach, as well as a log cabin summer home they built in Du Bois, Wyoming, Bill’s native state, until Bill died in 2010.

While bridge and golf were Marie’s favorite past times, faith and family were her passions. She was always an engaged parishioner at her Catholic parishes, most recently at St. John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island.  She is survived by three daughters, nine grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.   Fabulous and talented mother, playful and lively grandmother, charming and diplomatic mother in law, Marie was a font of generosity, energy, elegance, humor and enduring love. Donations may be sent to Marie’s beloved Norbertine Sisters at the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph, 17831 Water Canyon Road, Tehachapi,    CA93561