Obituary of Jean Louise Griffis

Jean was born Jean Louise Hawkins on October 27th 1932 at the original Saint Vincent Hospital, Portland, Oregon. Jean’s family moved to a farm in Milwaukie, Oregon where she was raised as the only child of Dorothy and Lowell Hawkins. After graduating from Milwaukie High, Jean attended secretarial school. She wed Frank Kenneth Griffis (Ken) on February 12, 1955. Jean and Ken purchased their first home in Northeast Portland and started their family with Suzan arriving first in 1956, followed by Bill in 1957 and finally by Nancy in 1959. Ultimately Jean and Ken moved into Woodspring Apartments when they were first built in Tigard, Oregon and remained there for the rest of their lives. Jean loved sewing, crafting and cooking, but Jean was best known for her love of gardening. In good health and in bad, she always found the energy to tend her beautiful gardens. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She so wanted to complete the “five year plan” that she set up with Jacob and she gave it everything she had. Jean was a special lady and will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. Jean is survived by her son Bill Griffis, daughter Suzan Knowles, her grandchildren; Sara Hassell, John Hawkins, Kris and Katie Knowles, her great grandchildren Jacob and Mason and her cat Oliver. Jean is predeceased by her husband Ken Griffis, her daughter Nancy Hawkins and her beloved cat Clarence. *Jean especially loved roses, in lieu of flowers we invite you to make a donation in Jean’s memory to the Portland Rose Society non-profit organization #84325, phone (503) 777-4311. For more information please visit www.FredMeyer.com/communityrewards