Deborah Lynn Griffin

Deborah Lynn Griffin, 55, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Debbie was the oldest daughter of Ronald and Mary Griffin.  She was born March 14, 1959, in South Bend, Indiana, and the family moved to St. Joseph in 1967.  A 1978 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Debbie attended Twin Cities Beauty College to receive her license as a beautician and she worked in several salons in the area.  She also worked 15 years for Inter City Bank in Benton Harbor and Shoreline Bank in South Haven, and the last 13 years as an employee of Lakeland Health Care in St. Joseph.  In addition to working at Lakeland, Deb was also a volunteer there. In her earlier years, she was proud to have walked the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day and enjoyed several nice trips with her sister and brother-in-law.  Her recent favorite things to do were to enjoy the lake at Silver Beach, baking cookies to share, taking day trips and enjoying time with her family.  Debbie was a Chicago Cubs fan and an avid Notre Dame Football fan and lived her life to their “Play Like A Champion Today” motto.  She will be remembered by many for her wonderful smile, great sense of humor and continued grace through difficult times.  Her family was proud of her. She is survived by her parents, Ron and Mary Griffin; her sister and brother-in-law, Pamela and Phillip Whitehead, several aunts, an uncle, caring cousins and extended family as well as long-time caregiver and dear friend, Lorelei Bush. The family appreciated the staff of Lakeland CCU of St. Joseph as well as Great Lakes Specialty Hospital and St. Mary’s CCU of Grand Rapids for the loving care they provided Debbie during her time with them, and especially Mary Free Bed therapists, Amy and Christy, for all they did for her 10 years ago and for their continued help and friendship during this stay. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, of which she was a member, with Dr. Robert Braman officiating.  Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Those wishing to sign Debbie’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Deborah requested that memorial gifts be made to the Lakeland Health Foundation, 1234 Napier Ave., St. Joseph, MI  49085.