Ethel "Edy" Griggs

Ethel “Edy” Griggs, 89, died peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2016, in her apartment at Eskaton Lodge, Gold River, CA. The only child of Dorothy and Joseph Kamienny M.D., Edy was born on December 22, 1926, in Hermosillo, Mexico. Ultimately, she made her home in California. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Griggs; her beloved uncle, Onisim “Nelson” Gurevitch, and devoted mother, Dorothy Kamienny. She attended UCLA where she was a stalwart Bruins fan, LaVerne College, and Azusa Pacific University, earning both the BA and MA in Education, while raising four daughters. Edy was an active member holding various leadership roles in the following organizations: Delta Kappa Gamma; Covina Women’s Club; AAUW; PEO; West Covina Community Presbyterian Church; where she served as Deaconess and member of the Clippers’ Mariner group; loyal volunteer at The Bargain Box; and Citrus Valley Intercommunity Hospital. She offered guidance, creativity, and expertise as a volunteer in various organizations and her profession throughout her life. As a creative and innovative teacher and lifelong learner, she taught first grade for 13 years, often using learning theories on her daughters. She taught Spanish at Sierra Vista Junior High in Covina for 17 years, where she helped pioneer the A-L Method in the district. She was more than a teacher. As testament to the lives she touched, she often shared letters filled with grateful recognition from former students and their families. Indeed, she was a strong force for good and for helping others. Multi-lingual, Edy traveled the country as well as the world, and was embraced by many communities, including the city, Laguépie, France as an honorary sister-member. An avid skier, tennis enthusiast, golfer, accomplished swimmer, lover of board and card games such as Scrabble and bridge, pianist, seamstress, oil painter, she actively participated in all aspects of what she perceived as the complete life. Always the consummately gracious hostess, her kindness, thoughtfulness, and care earned her the trust of people of all ages in many places. Above all, she embraced fully the importance of all family gatherings, always punctuated by delicious, well presented repasts. Edy is survived by her four daughters/sons-in-law: Nancy and Mike Bainter; Linda and Bob Reilly; Kathy and Henry Gruchacz; Toni and Skip Horvath; her six grandchildren, their spouses, and four great-grandchildren: Katey and Dave Frankel, Reilly (4) and Wyatt (1); Maggie Reilly and Logan Wright; Mei Gruchacz and Trystan Christ, Jackson (3); Draco and Havilyn Gruchacz; Lauren and Vince Leporini, Annabelle (1); Leslie and Scott McCoy, Audrey (2) and her cousins, Bernard Gary; his daughter, Coral, and Jim Boulden. A private family interment will occur at Fair Oaks Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 in the chapel at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 11427 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks, CA. Reception will follow in the Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending any donations to Community Presbyterian Church of West Covina at 540 E. Vine Avenue, West Covina, CA 91790; or to Eskaton Foundation, 5105 Manzanita Avenue; Carmichael, CA 95608. “It may be lonely, And I hope you miss me Just a little, Because I have loved so deeply My own family and faithful friends. Forgive me if I have ever hurt you, And remember me for what I longed to be.” --Anonymous

Ethel "Edy" Griggs

December 22, 1926 - November 28, 2016