JANE (NICHOLS) GRIFFIN
Wayland: Jane (Nichols) Griffin, 86, a Wayland resident for 56 years, died peacefully on Thursday, November 3, 2011 following a period of declining health. She had been at Coleman House in Northborough following a stroke in the summer of 2008.
She was born on August 16, 1925 in Walton, NY the daughter of the late Jesse M. Nichols and Ethel (Boyd) Nichols. Jane was the beloved mother of John N. Griffin and his wife Laurie of Northborough, Frank W. Griffin and his wife Emilie of Carpinteria, CA, Paul S. Griffin and his wife Denise of Sudbury and James B. Griffin and his wife Charlene of Sterling. She is also survived by nine grandchildren. She was the devoted wife for 36 years of the late Dr. William Maxwell Griffin, former principal of Wayland High School and an Associate Professor at Boston College, who died in 1984.
She spent her formative years in Walton, NY and was the Salutatorian of her graduating class at Walton High School. She received her BA in English and Literature from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio and later was a teacher in Grand Gorge, NY. Jane and Max moved to Wayland in 1952 and raised their family in the Happy Hollow neighborhood. She maintained her love of literature and history as an avid reader throughout her life.
Jane was an active, loyal, and dedicated member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church during all of her time in Wayland. She served the church for over 20 years as the administrative assistant to the senior minister. Jane was devoted to her Christian faith and also volunteered in many capacities at Trinitarian including Vacation Bible School, Moms to Moms, Sunday School, and wherever there was a need. She was also a member of the Wayland Historical Society and enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life. Jane was always gracious, thoughtful, and appreciative and was known for her personal, hand-written correspondence.
Her family was her most precious gift, and she loved and looked forward to many special events and athletic contests over the years. She became an active follower of basketball, tennis, and girls lacrosse, and at different times was the #1 fan for Wayland High School, Algonquin Regional High School and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. No fewer than ten times did she ignore her reluctance to fly to visit her grandchildren in California. She will be greatly missed by all of the lives that she touched.
Visitations will be held on Friday, November 18, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the Bryant Memorial Chapel of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (off Route 30), Wayland.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 53 Cochituate Road, (Route 27), Wayland.
Private interment for her family will take place in the Griffin family lot in North Cemetery in Wayland.
It is the wish of the Griffin Family to establish a memorial sensory garden in Jane’s honor at Berkshire Meadows, a residential setting in Great Barrington, MA providing medical, educational, and therapeutic care to children and young adults with profound developmental delay, multiple disabilities, and medical complications. For those who desire, gifts in Jane’s memory may be sent to Berkshire Meadows, 249 North Plain Road, Housatonic, MA 01236 c/o Liisa Kelly, Program Director.
For on-line condolences and directions please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.