Frances Lorraine Griffin Wolfe
Did you know Frances? Please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
What a beautiful and sad endeavor to be tasked with writing your mom's obituary. What does one say about a life of 90 years that was filled with adventure and achievements, yet lived quietly and humbly? I guess one starts with the facts....
Mom (Frances Lorraine Griffin-Wolfe) was born to Hazel and John Griffin on March 12, 1932 in The Dalles, Oregon. One of mom's oldest memories was of watching her mom sweep a rattlesnake out the kitchen door with a broom and then chopping it's head off with a shovel!
Her childhood years were spent in the Rapid River Country Southwest of Riggins, Idaho and on a farm in Sunnyside Washington where she lived with her grandparents for several years. Her favorite quote from her grandmother, who was a powerful influence in mom's life was "We cannot all be rich, powerful, and famous but we can all be respectable, polite, and faithful."
As a teenager mom lived in McCall, Idaho and graduated from Donnelly-McCall Highschool in 1950. After graduating high school, she attended Saint Alphonsus School of Nursing before marrying an adventurous man (aka dad) in 1951. Once the babies started coming her schooling was put on hold while raising us kids, but her gift of service and the practical nursing skills she had learned were not.
Mom and dad moved to Girdwood, Alaska in 1957 and eventually moved to Talkeetna, Alaska in 1959. Shortly after moving to Talkeetna, mom helped a neighbor with a medical issue and word circulated quickly that she knew her stuff. In fact, it didn't take long for the State of Alaska to come knocking on our door and offering mom the position of public health liaison, which she held until 1977. In one of her reviews with the State of Alaska she was credited with "inoculating everything from children to collisions". To fill in that gap a bit, she delivered almost every baby in town, dealt with a few bear wounds and chainsaw mishaps, inoculated both children and animals, removed countless fishhooks from people's bodies, pierced ears....and the list goes on and on.
Mom and dad left Alaska in 1977 and after a brief stint in Arizona moved back to Idaho where their adventure had originally begun. They lived up by Crouch (Castle Mountain) for several years and settled in Emmett in 1991.
Mom's legacy lives on in her surviving children.
Theresa - Mom always had words of wisdom and taught me to cook, sew, knit and crochet, and encouraged me to continue my education and become a nurse.
Michael (Shari) - Mom led quietly. The words were few, always beneficial, and always something to be remembered.
Andy (Kim) - Mom was mom.. always there, always caring.. always had a smile, regardless of situations.. an understanding lady who saw potential in everything and everybody.. her genuine laughter will be missed by all... Love you Mom.. See you again in Heaven.
Laura (Leo) - Mom always got my humor and always called Leo "Mister". She called her Skittles her vegetables because they were multi-colored. She made the best liver and onions I have ever eaten. She was the giggle to my laughter. Mom and Leo were my faithful sidekicks in dialysis. Thank you Jesus for setting her free!
Fran - Thanks mom for your unconditional love. Oh!...and thank you for that little lunch pail you got me when everyone else was at school . You would pack my lunch every day so I could play pretend school.
Mom is also survived by 10 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, a sister, her husband Randell (Tony) Wolfe, her daughter Elaine Wilson, her grandson Joshua Wolfe, and her grandson Timber Wolfe. While we are saddened by the loss of her physical presence here on earth, we know those that have gone before are delighted to have her laughter ringing in their ears once again. We are happy for her there, even as we miss her here.
Mom said the best decision of her life was when she accepted the Lord as her Savior. Her favorite verse is Romans 10:9 - If you declare with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Per mom's request, there will be no public service. For those desiring to honor her memory, she has asked that donations be made to CERT (Christian Education Release Time). CERT is a program located next to Emmett High School that offers students the option to supplement their secular, public education with Christian Education. Donations can be made online at emmettcert.org/partner or mailed to CERT, 619 West 12th Street, Emmett, ID 83617.
Some parting words mom shared with me one quiet evening: "I had 90 great years, lots of adventures and a few misadventures and it's been a great ride. Enjoy life. Smile a lot, especially at strangers. Love one another."