Catherine A. Griffin, born on 10/12/33 and passed peacefully on 3/25/2026.  

Catherine was born Catherine Connolly in BayRidge, Brooklyn.  She was the only child of two busy working parents.  While growing up, she attended Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn,, a 6th-12th grade private, Roman Catholic college preparatory high school for young women.  She took part in extra curricular activities such as field hockey, volleyball, cooking and sewing classes.  Catherine then went on to college and graduated from St. Joseph's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland with a Home Economics degree.  Upon graduation, Catherine obtained employment with the Beechnut Corporation in Manhattan.  Part of her job was one of a food tester/taster, which she enjoyed.  Catherine loved the big apple and she would often say that she was quite the city gal, comfortably hopping the subway to get from her home in Bayridge to meet friends for social commitments downtown, or to commute to Beechnut in midtown.  Catherineś twenties were exciting years for her.

During these early working years in New York City was when she met her future husband, Eugene J. Griffin over the summer months at the Jersey Shore in Spring Lake, New Jersey.  In less than a yearś time, they married on May 31, 1958.   Newly married and still employed at Beechnut Corporation came the joyous news that Catherine would be expecting her first child.  Not much time passed before Catherine said goodbye to her working days to prepare for her next, exciting chapter; motherhood.

Within a span of ten years, Catherine became a mother to Jeanne Francavilla, Tim Griffin, Alice Lynch, Karen Griffin and Elizabeth Griffin-Zirbser. It became quite evident that after her fifth child, mom was all about family.  Naturally, nine grandchildren followed suit; Marykate, Julia, Daniel, Teddy, Bridget, Molly, Sean, Kimberly and Griffin. Catherineś children believe that family was her legacy.  As a family, with five kids in tow, in various station wagons throughout the years, countless ski trips up to the Adirondacks and Vermont, camping trips up and down the East Coast with the trailer, summer day trips to Robert Moses and Jones Beach state parks,  journeys to all relatives’ homes over the holidays year in and year out and innumerable other adventures, were lived abundantly and together as a family.

Catherine also relished a great book, enjoyed playing bridge with her girlfriends, and loved entertaining friends and family in her home in Huntington, Long Island.  She had even been given the moniker by her daughters, hostess with the mostest.

Later in life, Catherine traveled extensively with her husband, Eugene.  Most of these travels occurred within a 10 year span; from the time Eugene retired as an Electrical Engineer from the Grumman Corporation, up until his passing in 2000. So many photographic, indelible memories remain from those travel years for both of them.  

And we know God is good because during some of Catherineś loneliest days following her husbandś passing, it is then that she met and married a lovely, intelligent, creative and devoted gentleman by the name of Robert Persons.  This was her second act.  Robert (Bob) was an individual who was known far and wide throughout the town of Port Washington, Long Island, where he raised his beautiful family.  Bob was a man of many hobbies and interests from model ship building to being the longest standing secretary of his 1944 Cornell graduating class, to police commissioner of Port Washington. Catherine and Bob, too, traveled significantly and enjoyed thirteen, fun-filled, active years together until Bobś passing in 2018.  

Catherineś life story would not be complete without mentioning her faith.  A mainstay throughout her life was Catherineś steadfast Catholic religion.  It was her foundation, her rock and it kept her solid, peaceful and content.  She loved praying to the Blessed Mother and had a special devotion to the Rosary.  She and Eugene have passed down this beautiful faith to all five children and nine grandchildren. There is no doubt that Catherine and all loved ones who have gone before her have welcomed her into Godś almighty Kingdom with open, loving arms.  Catherine is now an angel, amongst all the heavenly angels, intervening and assisting us in this mortal, temporal life here on Earth.  We will never forget.