Obituary of Estelle V. Griffin

Estelle V. (Broda) Griffin, a retired Teacher at Memorial School in Burlington, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2013. She was 93 years old. Estelle was born and raised in Portsmouth, VA. She was one of 10 children born to Polish Immigrants’ the late Vincente and Lucia Broda. Estelle was a graduate of Longwood Teacher’s University in Farmville, VA. She met her husband Michael while he was in the United States Navy stationed in Portsmouth VA and they were married in 1944. Estelle and Mike lived in Somerville for 13 years before eventually settling in Burlington in 1960. Estelle taught fifth grade at Memorial School for 22 years. She had wonderful memories of her teaching years. Over the years she still remembered many of her students and unique things about them such as where they sat in class! Living in the town where she taught made her a little bit of a celebrity. Former students from 30 or more years would see her around town and stop to talk “Mrs. Griffin” and reminisce about former classmate and teachers. Being remembered so fondly by former students always brightened her day. Estelle was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Estelle and her husband Michael traveled together and visited beautiful and historical destinations throughout the world. Saturday evenings they enjoyed going out and dancing. During her retirement years Estelle was an active member of the Burlington Council on Aging. She attended all the trips, activities, and socials. She was also a member of the Burlington Garden Club for over 25 years. Estelle enriched countless students over her career giving them not only a strong foundation in education, but the warmth, compassion and confidence to become better citizens. Estelle was the beloved wife of the late Michael A. Griffin. She was the loving mother of Gloria Glauser & her husband Arnold of Wesley Chapel, FL, Michael A. Griffin, Jr. & his wife Elaine of Medway and Frances Holtgrefe & her husband Randolph of Shrewsbury. She was the proud grandmother of Lori Glauser, Cynthia Nance & her husband Tom, Michael & Kathleen Griffin and Dennis & Nicholas Holtgrefe and Great grandmother of Amanda Nance. She was also predeceased by 9 siblings. The family would like to express special thanks to the staff and residents of Shrewsbury Crossings for all of their love and support. A visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, Feb. 11 from 10-11:30 AM. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at Noon. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery. Memorials in Estelle’s name may be made to People Helping People, PO Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803. Mother Thank you to everyone for being here today, I know that many of you had to travel a long distance. My name is Mike. Estelle’s son. My mother was an incredibly kind, loving, passionate, joyful southern lady. Mom was born and raised in Portsmouth Virginia. She was the eighth of 10 children to Lucia and Vincente Broda, Polish immigrants. Mom was so proud of her polish heritage. Over the years many people would comment on mom’s southern accent….a DRAWLshe never lost. Whenever she went back to Virginia she always came back with the strong southern accent. She often spoke of her years in the family garden. A garden the size of a football field. Gardening was something she loved. She became a member of the Burlington Garden Club in later years and loved everything about the club. She graduated from Longwood University in Farmville Virginia with a degree in teaching. After graduation she returned home and worked in the Navy yard during the war. There she met a handsome “Yankee” sailor, my dad Mike. After he was discharged, they moved to Somerville Ma. What a change for mom. Having a new born, Gloria and experiencing New England winters must have been a shock. Somerville is where mom had 2 more children, Frances and myself. Going to parochial school here was very difficult for me because mom got her license and drove the nuns to many of their appointments. She knew everything “good and bad” about my school days. After spending 13 years in Somerville the family moved to Burlington. She was a stay at home mother early on and when Frances was old enough she returned to her passion, teaching, She spent 22 years as a 5th grade teacher at the Memorial and Marshall Simons schools. Just down the street from here. . She loved all her students and took great pride in watching their accomplishments over the years. Whenever she met any of her students, she not only remembered their names but also where they sat in her classroom along with little reminders about their time in her classroom. Mom and dad loved to dance and often went to the Red Pines for Saturday night dances and a beer or two. My parent’s spent much of their retirement years traveling, another of mom’s favorite things to do. After dad’s passing, she maintained the house in Burlington for 15 more years. Getting involved with the Senior Center and spending time visiting her friends and neighbors. A move to Shrewsbury assisted living was the final chapter in mom’s life. Here she met many new friends and with the great aides and staff her years here were a joy. Only complaining about the food. “it’s not like mine” . MOM, I will cherish all the times we had together and will forever carry your values with me. You will be missed. Love you!