Louella Mae Griffin

North Lawrence- Louella M. “Lou” Griffin, 87, passed away at her home, Saturday, August 29, 2015, with her family at her side. Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Louella was born on August 27, 1928 in Lyon Mountain, N.Y., daughter of the late William Mason and Mildred (Cayea) Cook. Following attendance at Vincentian High School in Albany, N.Y, she worked for several years in the Albany area until returning to Massena, N.Y. Lou received secretarial training through Alcoa in 1953 and later became employed at the St. Lawrence Central School in Brasher Falls, N.Y. She married Gordon P. Griffin on February 21, 1953 and continued to work at St. Lawrence Central School until retirement in 1983 to care for her husband who passed away in 1990 after a lengthy illness. Lou was blessed with a steadfast outlook on life; holding her family and spiritual strength in her understanding heart. After raising her children, Lou would spend time tending to her garden, reading, cooking, embroidering, and enjoying the company of family and friends. Music was a very important part of her life growing up with her siblings, finding both laughter and peace in their songs and the bonds it made. She was a parishioner of St. Lawrence Church; who adored the Blessed Mother, sharing her faith with her sisters in the Altar and Rosary Society. Lou served as a member of the finance and parish councils for St. Lawrence Church where she attended for the remainder of her life. Lou was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister whose life centered on her family. She is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Kim and Sharon Griffin of Shortsville and Guy and Janet Griffin of Brasher Falls, her son in law, Gordon Coleman of Little Falls, her siblings, Dorothy Cook of Ithaca, Beverly Wilson of Winthrop, Shirley Simpson of North Lawrence, Ronald Cook of Texas, Marlene Murphy of Oswego, and Jacqueline Diles of Washington, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Her husband Gordon, daughter, Sheila Coleman, son, Jeremy Griffin, brothers, Leonard Cook, Kenneth Cook and Alan Cook predeceased her. Visitation will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Lou’s Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 11 am at St. Lawrence Church in North Lawrence with Rev. Garry Giroux celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery in North Lawrence. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in Lou’s honor, please consider donations to St. Lawrence Church or Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley. Her family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the many people that cared for her and for those that shared time in visiting with her over the years. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.hammillfh.com.