Obituary of Joan Griffith

Joan (Davitt) Griffith passed away at the Falls View Nursing Facility in Boonton Twp., NJ on August 28, 2023, at the age of 89.

Born in Morristown she lived most of her life and raised her family in the Indian Lake section of Denville, NJ.

She worked for the Denville Township Board of Education as a school bus driver for 25 years before retiring in 2000.  Joan was influential in helping to get the school bus drivers into the NJEA Union.
 
Joanie, as her freinds called her, was an avid gardener and was known to do some clandestine gardening in neighbors' yards.   She was a member of the of the Indian Lake Community Club and worked tirelessly on their beautification committee for several years.  She loved to refurbish furniture long before it was the fashion, she sewed her children’s clothes and Halloween costumes, knitted and crocheted beautiful sweaters and blankets.  Joanie enjoyed visits from the neighborhood children and went all out to celebrate the holidays.  For many years she hosted an annual Christmas caroling party for the neighborhood.  

She was predeceased by her parents John F. and Thelma May (Clapp) Davitt, her brother Jack Davitt in 2011, her sister Susan Scouten in 2014 as well as by her beloved husband of almost 60 years, Donald J. Griffith in 2016.

Joan is survived by her loving children, Lisa MacGray of Rockaway, NJ, Amy Colley of Tunkhannock, PA, and John Griffith of Tobyhanna, PA.  She is also survived by her cherished grandsons Benjamin MacGray, Gavin Colley, Joshua Colley and by her great grandson Joseph MacGray.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday September 18, 2023 at 1:00PM at St, Mary’s Church 15 Myers Avenue Denville, NJ 07834 under the direction of Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com.  A repast luncheon will follow at the Indian Lake Community Club.

Memorial donations can be made in her name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation by way of inmemof.org.