Janice Blanche (Palmer) Griffin

PEABODY – Mrs. Janice Blanche (nee Palmer) Griffin died September 22, 2020 at Brooksby Village, in Peabody, Massachusetts. She was born January 31, 1930 to the late Harold "Ted" Palmer and Esther Krause in Aneta, North Dakota. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dr. John F. Griffin, of Peabody, Massachusetts, (previously Longmeadow, Massachusetts),  5 children: Mary (David) Salomaki of Kennett Square, Pa; John (Joanne) Griffin of Amherst, New Hampshire; Robert (Elizabeth) Griffin of Beverly, Massachusetts, Michael (Susan) Griffin of North Reading, Massachusetts, and Stephen Griffin of Boston, Massachusetts as well as 9 grandchildren – Eric, Brian, Christine, John, Erin, Peter, Meghan, Meredith, and Abigail and one great grandchild, Emma. She was preceded in death by a son, Christopher, her parents, Ted and Esther, and her brother and sister, Elroy Palmer of Beresford, S.D. and Charlotte Field of Mesquite, NV.

Janice grew up in the farming community of Aneta, N.D. attending first a one-room school house and then graduating from Aneta High School. She grew up helping on her parents’ farm, and enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, roller skating, swimming, and dancing. By age 12, she was able to drive the family pickup truck to assist bringing food and provisions to the workers in the field during harvest time.

She attended the Dakota Business College at Fargo, North Dakota and was secretary to the President of that institution upon graduation. She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1949 when she was hired by Congressman Usher L Burdick (R – ND) as secretary when he asked the business college to recommend their best student. Janice also worked for the Pentagon. Janice was selected by the North Dakota State Society of Washington, D.C. to represent the state at the 1950 annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.

It was in Washington, D.C. where she met the love of her life, John F. Griffin of Springfield, Massachusetts who was studying medicine at Georgetown University. Janice and Jack were married in Aneta, N.D. in September, 1951. While Jack continued his medical/cardiology studies, the couple lived in Boston, Mass. and Washington, D.C, started their family, and Janice continued to work at various office jobs and the U.S. Navy at the Pentagon, before settling in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1957.

Janice devoted herself to her family and as a tireless worker in everything that she did. She was a wonderful cook (her strawberry jam was terrific!), sewed many of her own clothes as well as beautiful needlepoints and quilts to give to her children and grandchildren, maintained flower and vegetable gardens, did extensive genealogy research and juggled the many activities of their growing family. Despite her busy schedule, she found time to learn how to ski and play tennis and golf which she enjoyed with her children and her husband throughout her life. She loved to play bridge with her friends and was an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary of Mercy Hospital in Springfield and St. Mary’s Parish in Longmeadow. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband back home to Aneta, to visit her sister and brother in South Dakota and California, to Cape Cod, New Orleans, Hawaii, Wimbledon, Normandy, Paris, Ireland, Mexico, and Bermuda.

Janice had many admirable qualities that truly set her apart. She was the consummate diplomat, knowing what to say in every situation and putting everyone at ease. She was loyal to her friends and never said a bad word about anyone. She endured great difficulties with grace. She was never heard to complain, perhaps most remarkably in the last years of her life when she was afflicted with dementia and the loss of many abilities and freedoms. Even the nurses who cared for her were amazed by her constant good nature and easy-going attitude.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held in the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., Danvers, Ma 01923, Friday, September 25^th at 6:15 PM. Visiting hour prior to the service from 5 to 6 P.M. Graveside, committal services, will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Rd., Springfield, Saturday, September 26^th at 11 A.M. (Please meet at the cemetery gate). Relatives and friends are invited to all services. All attendees are required to wear face coverings, practice social distancing and are respectfully asked for no physical contact with the family. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Janice’s memory to the Bright Focus Foundation, (Macular Degeneration Research), 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD, 20871. To share a memory, offer a condolence, or to join the family remotely during the service, visit her eternal tribute at  www.odonnellfuneralservice.

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