Doris Louise Griffin

passed away on Monday, November 17, 2008 at The Messenger House on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Doris was born August 31, 1918 to Alice and Ernest Newkirk in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended schools throughout southern California and graduated from Santa Barbara High School. During World War 2 she worked for the Bendix Company as a "Rosie the Riveter". During the war she also met and married William Griffin. They built their first home in Van Nuys, California and Bill managed a meat market while Doris cared for their two young sons Don and Bill Jr. They started their travels from there when Bill reentered the Army as an Artillery Officer. Over the years they lived in such varied places as Alaska, Colorado, (where third son Ken was born), California, Japan, Singapore, and Seattle. While in Seattle Doris was a licensed real estate sales representative. They retired and built their retirement dream home and surrounding rhododendron garden on the shores of Hood Canal near Port Gamble, Washington. Her husband of 64 years Bill died in 2007. A brother, Kenneth Wayne Newkirk, also preceded her in death during World War II. Doris is survived by three sons: Donald Kenneth Griffin of Eaton, Colorado, William Walker Griffin, Jr of Olympia, WA, and Kenneth Wayne Griffin of Kirkland, WA as well as 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Doris will be remembered for her love of family and friends including the residents and staff of her care facility at Messenger House. Interment will be at Hansville Cemetery in Kitsap County. (Directions)Remembrances may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org