Our sassy blonde haired, bold red lip-stick wearing, Prince loving, Earth, Wind and Fire dancing, diet coke drinking, life loving friend, sister and aunt, Cynthia (Cindy) Griffin, decided there were no more cooking items from Williams and Sonoma, shoes and skirts from Sundance, or decorative pieces from Pottery Barn that were calling her name. She decided that she was done sparring with cancer and that she had gifted to us all the love, joy, and beauty her heart had, and that it was time to take her boundless… radiant soul to a place big enough to take her all in, so she took her trailing clouds of glory back Home, Monday, March 13th, 2017.
Cindy was born November, 10th, 1962 in Madison, Wisconsin so she came to her "cheese-headness" honestly and was a lifelong Packers fan because they wouldn't give her father Gerald Dougal Griffin (yes that was really his name) or Joan Von Pinborough (no she wasn't German royalty but she could have been) the birth certificate unless they insured Packer fidelity.
Both her parents preceded her in death and were there to greet her along with her little nephew Jeffrey Douglas Griffin and her beloved yellow Labrador, Atticus, who most likely launched himself into a butt-tuck run taking out several angels, their harps and a bunch of halo type stuff in his abundant exuberance. It is also quite likely that Cindy was laughing too hard to apologize.
She moved to Logan, Utah with her parents and older brother Michael Griffin in 1963, where she swore she froze off her tookus (She didn't call it tookus) and exhausted her ability to generate body heat. To her way of thinking a thermostat could not be set high enough. The family of four was rounded out by the addition of her younger brother Kevin Ernest Griffin in 1965, of whom she was very protective of and devoted to her whole life. His wife Linda Griffin and their children Brianna, Derek, McKay and Zane meant the world to her and Aunt C.C. was and will always be their favorite aunt (sorry other aunts obituaries/eulogies must speak the truth).
Sometime between Cindy's Senior year at Logan High and her first years at Utah State she was coerced (seriously her mother laid it on thick) into entering a pageant; becoming, to her utter amazement and her mother's unquenchable delight, Logan Legionnaires' Queen and a runner-up for Miss Utah.
In the mid 80's Cynthia moved to Salt Lake City and began working in the marketing world specifically in print production for some of the best agencies in the city, winning recognition and awards such as a CLIO in 1999. Here she formed lasting associations, with many of her friends from BOWG, Richter 7, and FJCandN coming to the hospital and her home to share their love, gratitude and happy memories with her.
In September of 2015 Cynthia began working for Perfectly Posh in the marketing department. She embraced the challenge going outside her ad agency wheelhouse and relished the wonderful people with whom she worked and the added perk of the amazing lotions and potions they create. The nurse aids, as well as friends and family who would lotion her dry skin in the hospital and hospice in her home loved using all the Posh products Cindy had.
More importantly, the folks at Perfectly Posh let her know through her medical challenges that her job was secure and her contribution valued. This removed a tremendous burden of worry from her shoulders for which Cynthia and all who love her will always be grateful.
Cynthia had many passions. She was a consummate home chef, a fashionista, photographer, gardener, florist and an interior designer. She was in all things an artist and anything she touched became more beautiful. Anyone acquainted with her Facebook page was privy to her posts with pictures of beautiful flower arrangements, delicious dishes and several home projects. She was a master of so many things, but what she wasn't… was a dog trainer. She was a dog spoiler and Atticus and Boo were and are the sweetest dogs ever, probably because they never heard the word "no".
She loved to travel and even after her cancer diagnosis nine years ago she visited Bonaire, Belize, Cozumel, Roatan, Turkey, Greece, Moab and Arches. She was an adventurer who snorkeled, zip-lined, swam in cenotes, camped, glamped, jumped off cliffs, kayaked and road ATVs. Her favorite place in the world was Grand Teton National Park and just last October she was able to hike String Lake to Leigh Lake where she took some beautiful photos.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she held many positions including Relief Society President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Girl's Camp Advisor, and Program Editor. She loved the Lord, loved to serve and bless the lives of others, and in turn her life was richly blessed with the associations of so many wonderful people.
Throughout her life she threw a wide net across the water, drawing to her many cherished friends who became the family she chose. She hosted countless parties, dinners and soirees in her beautiful home, which like her heart, was open to all. Her sweet heart and iridescent soul finally became too big for this world. We are better for knowing her, will miss her unimaginably, and will cherish the hand print she left on our hearts.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 20th 11:00am at the Waterloo Ward House 1623 South 500 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. There will not be a viewing or interment but a tribute video will be shown in a loop starting at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers we have requested donation be made to http://www.uaaf.org/ to be directed to https://www.facebook.com/fortheloveofruby/ a kind animal lover who Cindy followed on Facebook and greatly admired or to the Humane Society.
