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Mary Ella Griffin

02/28/1936 - 08/28/2015
Service Date: 09/04/2015
Service Time: 10:00 AM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Old Gilbert Road Building - Leonora Ward, 2424 North Old Gilbert Road, Mesa, Arizona 85213

Mary Ella Griffin, 79, passed away on August 28, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. She was born to Harvey Andrew and Nora Irene Page in Woodville, Texas on February 28, 1936.  She grew up in a large family including her siblings: Clara, David (Beverly), Geraldine (Larry), Sandra, Edna (Lucias), Harvilynne (Brad) and John (Jeanie). While working as a nurse in Liberty, Texas she met a young doctor-to-be, Glen Charles Griffin. They married in 1957 and raised 6 children; Janelle Selover (Robert), Joan Watson, Mark Griffin (Jennifer), Gary Griffin, Jill Shook, and Greg Griffin. Mary Ella and Glen served a medical mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Asia based in the Singapore Mission from April 2001 – September 2002. Together they traveled and served in Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore and Thailand. One of the highlights of their mission was teaching the gospel to their miracle girl from China, Xialian, and others. Before serving a mission she also served many years in Primary and Relief Society.  Mary Ella loved family history and genealogy, reading, playing games, hamburgers and chocolate. Most of all she loved her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Nora, and sister, Clara and brother-in-law, Larry. She is survived by her loving husband Glen, and their 6 children. Their legacy will be continued through their 16 grandchildren: Jeff, Holly, Heidi, Audrey, Jason, Ty, Michael, Spencer, Brian, Emily, Kelsey, Heather, TJ, Rainey, Kaelin and Riane, and 12 great grandchildren: Marley, Hendrix, Carter, Olivia, Derek, Grant, Leah, Ben, Logan, Calvin, and Mila, with 2 more on the way. Funeral services are Friday, September 4, 2015 at 10 a.m., preceded by a visitation from 9 a.m. to 9:45, with the family prayer at 9:45, at the Old Gilbert Road Building – Leonora Ward, 2424 North Old Gilbert Road, Mesa, Arizona 85213. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85024. Bunker’s University Chapel handled the arrangements.

Condolences

  • I’m so very sad for your loss. May her memory bring you comfort and peace. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers…Toni

  • Ricky & Jennifer

    So sorry for your loss MaryElla was a wonderful & kind person. Condolences

  • Dear Glen, Jill and Greg,

    I was so sorry to hear about Mary Ella’s passing and am so glad that I saw it on Facebook. She was a dear lady, such a sweetheart.
    Klaus passed away in October of last year and I miss him dearly.
    Please call me if you want to talk.
    (801)298-2288.
    Love,
    Arlene Lassig

  • Mary Ella brings many very tender memories mind; her devotion to Jesus Christ and his restored gospel was manifest by service to others at home and abroad she as and Glen went hand in hand to administer to the needs of others. My family was recipients of their love; they were there from the first diagnosis of leukemia of their dear friend Lewis, went thru all the ups and downs of treatments, saw to it that he felt special with a cookout complete with homemade ice cream and visits to their theater for worthwhile movies, was there to comfort with homemade chicken soup, made frequent stops at our home just to leave a kind word or check that all was well, they were till the last few hours when on a snowy night to deep to drive that a son in law picked him up for one last check on his dying friend. They were there always there. Their constant care meant so very much.
    Mine was not an isolated incident of Mary Ella service and friendship, as a ward family we enjoyed the blessing of her lessons, her testimony so sweetly born, the example of her loving devotion to Glen and their children. She was a shining example of Christ’s love in action. She will be missed by us all.

  • Conrad and Sandy Liston

    We will truly miss Mary Ella, we enjoyed visiting you both in your home in Mesa.
    You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Let us know if there is anything I can do to help.
    We will be over with treats and meals.

  • Mary Ella was a blessing in my life. She was always there with a kind word and encouragement.

  • What a beautiful picture of Mary Ella. She was a wonderful, kind neighbor for many years. I loved talking with her and wished we had more opportunities for her to share her wisdom and advice. She was a rock and a true blessing in my life.

  • Dear Glen:
    Many thanks for your email. I salute you and Mary Ella!

    I am very grateful to be a witness of your serving as Medical Missionaries in Singapore and Asia. Your excellence as a Team is noted with appreciation. Plus your service as a member of the Singapore Stake High Council. Mary Ella was a very good Missionary and picked up the spirits of so many. Your combined efforts in trying to improve the things we see in movies and television and always going the extra mile has set a Celestial like example of purity in thought and action. I am grateful that your children and extended family and friends are nearby to shower their love upon you. Prayers, love and best wishes from Singapore.
    Dora, Jim, Nick and Marie

  • Glen,
    I am deeply sorry for your loss. Mary Ella, was a beautiful person inside and out. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  • Some people come into our lives and quickly disappear; others stay a while and leave their mark on our hearts. Sister Griffin has left deep footprints on mine. I will always remember how she carried herself with kindness, wisdom, and quiet dignity. I’m glad that I was able to see her and have lunch with her last year in AZ when she was in good condition. I wish I can be like her one day, loving and serving others so selflessly. She was a blessing in my life. I will surely miss her…

  • Ted & Consuelo Balderrama

    My dear friend Joan,

    We are sending you all the light and love our hearts and energy can hold for you! You know I’m here to talk and anything else you need. We can grieve together because our mighty Lord knows how much I miss my mom still too. All our heart felt condolences for you Joan and your family during this difficult time. You all chose a beautiful picture of her!

  • Sorry to hear about your mom, Joan. I know that she is reunited with her loved ones, but it is still hard to lose a parent. May our Father in Heaven give you peace and assurance.

  • Dan and Rachel Oberan

    Glen,
    Words can not express the feelings we have for you at this time, We love you and morn with you.
    Death is sweet sorrow, we know our loved ones are in a better place but we still miss them and long to be with them. When my Mom died my Dad missed her so, and followed her soon after both were 91. Heavenly Fathers plan is a great plan and teaches us much about love and who we are. When the days get long and the hours quite remember you are not alone we are just around the corner and there is nothing we won’t do for you day or night.
    Glen, we love you and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

  • Steve & Linda Hartmann

    Mary Ella was a valiant and faithful servant. She always did anything that was asked of her. While I only knew her for a short time I knew of her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the love she has for Glen. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Glen and the family. We can rejoice in knowing that we will all see her again.

  • John & Jeanie Page

    Beautiful picture and beautiful service! So glad we got to be with your family for the service! We love you Glen and you and your children & grand children will be in our hearts and in our prayers. Love John & Jeanie

  • Mary Ella was a truly inspirational disciple and servant of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Her devoted efforts for her family, the gospel, and public service were a joy to behold! We shall miss her and look forward to greeting her again in a better place. God Be With You Til We Meet Again. Love, Chris B.

  • Jim & Shannon Young

    We were so sad to hear of Mary Ella’s passing. She and Glen added such a wonderful gift of quiet service, spiritual insightfulness and wisdom to our LDS ward in Mapleton, Utah. We were so grateful to be influenced by Mary Ella and the great way that she opened her home to us with such graciousness and love. She will be missed! Glen, we send you our love and sympathy,
    Jim and Shannon Young

  • With love and condolences to the guy that my sister Mary Ella loved so much.

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