Janice Elizabeth Griffin, a resident of Springfield, Ore.,passed away on June 26, 2021 after a brave two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Jan was born September 12, 1954 in Klamath Falls, Ore., the third child of Alta and Bernard Griffin.
Jan grew up in Klamath Falls and was active in Girl Scouts, school band, and pep squad. She graduated from Klamath Union High School in 1972 and attended Oregon Institute of Technology, receiving an Associate Degree. Planning to pursue a library science degree, she moved to Eugene only to have the program dropped by U of O soon after.
Instead, she began a 30 year career at the Eugene Public Library holding several administrative positions. Jan belonged to the Oregon Library Association and served in several offices including president. She received an award for her distinguished service in 2008.
Books and reading were always a part of her life as well as being the family’s genealogy expert. She also enjoyed puzzles, photography, cross stitch and knitting. During her illness she knit over 300 hats for children in need. She was active in the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club and assembled an amazing collection of ornaments. Jan also loved to travel, especially to the Oregon coast and to visit family in Vermont and California.
Jan is survived by her sister, Cindy Crosby (Tom), brother John Griffin, nephews, grandniece and grandnephew, and many cousins. She will be greatly missed by her longtime best friend Kathy Fairchild. Jan’s caring spirit, dry humor, easy laugh and love of family and friends will be long remembered by those who knew and loved her.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday, July 17 at The Congregational Church, 2154 Garden Ave., Klamath Falls. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Eugene Public Library, your local library or to a charity researching cancer.
