Josephine Eleanor (Joie) Griffith passed away in the arms of family, Wednesday, September 27, 2006. She became a centurion September 12, 2006 and had just recently enjoyed several celebrations with friends and relatives in honor of this special milestone.
Born in Nanaimo, B.C. September 12, 1906, she was the youngest daughter of Mary and Jeffrey Planta.
She is survived by her daughter Yvonne Finlay, granddaughters Cindy Lou Griffith, Debra Finlay, daughter-in-law Lorraine Griffith and many nieces and nephews.
Joie was predeceased by her three sisters, Trixie Yates, Elsie Hoyt and Mildred Melville, her husband W.L. (Lew), son William (Bill), grandsons Evan Griffith, Gordon Finlay and son-in-law Douglas Finlay.
She and her husband spent many years in the newspaper business in British Columbia at the Powell River News, Wells Chronicle, Cariboo Observer (Quesnel) and Prince George Daily Citizen. Joie was a charter member, life member and past Worthy Matron of the Cariboo Chapter No. 71, Order of the Eastern Star, was interested in many sports, particularly golf, and always enjoyed a good game of bridge. Retiring to Kelowna in 1970, where she was a member of the Kelowna Golf & Country Club, she and her husband enjoyed 25 years of winter months in San Diego and Yuma where she had time to indulge in her passion for oil painting. She was a strong and deeply loved matriarch of the family and an inspiration to us all. She will forever be in our hearts and memories.
A private family service was held honoring her life September 30, 2006. Any donations in Joie’s memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 201-1456 St. Paul St., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 2E6 or Osteoporosis Canada, 34-2365 Stillingfleet Rd., Kelowna, B.C. V1W 4X5.