Jeanne C. (Barnes) Griffith

Jeanne C. Griffith, born on April 10, 1928 in Pittsburgh, PA passed peacefully in her home in Greensburg, PA on May 26, 2025, at 97 years young. Jeanne/Mom was an amazing and multi-faceted woman who enjoyed so many things throughout her long life. She played the violin when she was 13 years old! She enjoyed collecting Hummels and thimbles of hers and her children’s travels. She also collected people. She loved people and was loved by many. She was everyone’s friend and helper. There were always people gathered in her kitchen. Jeanne was a problem solver who had a zest for life and did not believe in complaining as evidenced by a plaque in her home that read, “Kwitcherbellyachin!”

Jeanne was active as long as she was able and was a contributing member in her local church. Jeanne’s life and political stories are best summarized by snippets from some of her dear family and friends.

Donald “Donni” Griffith (son):

Mom’s spirit touched so many people throughout her 97+ years. Each chapter of her life was rather unique. Raising 8 kids on a shoestring budget, decades of public service, and years of volunteering. During her final chapter when we spoke during the more trying days, we would always remind each other with the cliche “we may be taking a lickin’, but we keep on tickin.’ There are buku memories during the 65 years we shared. One of my most cherished memories was throughout my youth. Each year mom prepared a Thanksgiving feast of not only turkey but also the wild game we had taken during the fall. It was a day of sharing, connecting, and reminiscing that always included our extended family, and friends. To this day Thanksgiving is my most cherished holiday. I miss her smile, her humor, and her spirit.

Jim Antoniono (dear friend and “son” number 5):

Jeanne was first elected to countywide office as the Democrat Jury Commissioner.  During her second term, she decided to run for Recorder of Deeds in the Democratic Primary against a 16-year incumbent who also happened to be the Vice-Chairman of the County Democratic Party. Jeanne went on to win that race, by her second term as Recorder of Deeds was leading the Democratic ticket.  It was a time when Jeanne was the only county female officeholder.

Jeanne served for 24 years as Recorder of Deeds before retiring from office.  The Recorder of Deeds office during her tenure became the model Recorders office statewide.  Hers was the first Recorders office in the state to computerize and return recorded documents to the customer at the time of recording.  Recorders from around the state would visit Westmoreland County to observe the various changes she made to modernize the office.

In 1976, Jeanne was the only Democratic Row Officer to support Jimmy Carter for President.  All three of his delegates for the Democratic Convention won their countywide election.  When a Democratic candidate for statewide office had Jeannie’s support, that candidate usually won Westmoreland County.  People from all over the county would stop in to see Jeanne if they were in the Courthouse.

In 1992, during her last term in office, Jeanne was awarded the Woman of Achievement Award by the Greensburg Business and Professional Woman’s Club.  Jeanne was usually the first one in her office each workday and the last one to leave.  There was not a job in the Recorder’s that Jeanne could not do. 

Jeanne was an independent office holder. Often individuals influential in the Republican party would stop by to chat with her.  If Senator Heinz was in the Courthouse, he would stop in to see Jeanne.  She ran more than once in the Democrat primary as an independent office holder, not as part of the party slate of candidates.  Jeanne was raised in a household where her father voted Democrat and her mother voted Republican.

Jay Menold (dear friend and “son” number 6):

Jeanne touched the lives of countless people. She was well known and well loved by many. She would have done just about anything for her family and friends. 

Jeannie had a strong work ethic and even in retirement she loved to keep busy from the time that she got up around 7am until she would finally slow down enough to watch the 10pm news. She really enjoyed working outside in her yard and garden any time the weather permitted. If she wasn't able to be outside then she would find plenty of things to tend to indoors. 

Jeannie wasn't all work, though, and would get away for day trips to places such as Ligonier (for ice cream!) or the local casino. She also enjoyed going out to dinner quite frequently but was always happy to return to the home that she so dearly loved. 

Jeannie will be greatly missed by the many people who were blessed to have been touched by her love and kindness.

Richard “Chip” Griffith (son):

She was called Jeanne, Ma, Mom, and Grammy…. I called her Ma-Jong (I don’t know why)!  She was the middle child of “Nanny and Boo Woo”, sandwiched between Ruth and Bob.  A graduate of Wilkinsburg High School and a member of the National Honor Society.  College was not to be, but was a beginning to her life’s calling - Public Service. Jeanne and Don blended two families into one which required a lot of giving, patience, and hard work.  Planting gardens, picking crops, and canning….lots of canning! Each of us eight children, with a twelve-year difference between oldest to youngest, needed her individual attention at different times.  Something my Ma-Jong managed well.  From typing Dan’s Master thesis on an Underwood typewriter (no correction tape) to fixing Donni’s “special lunch” for the school lunch thief.  We all know and remember our special events with Mom.  Trips for fifteen gallons of milk, and twenty loaves of bread per week.  She realized her veterinary skills may not be up to par when a Chinese pheasant’s leg needed tended after an altercation, and it somehow healed backwards!

Mom was a doer and was soon drawn into politics as Lincoln Heights Committee Woman (because, in her words, she needed some adults to talk with!).  She was a true Patriot who loved her country and was progressive, passionate, and interested in people. She related to anyone from blue collar to the President of our country - Jimmy Carter.  She helped him win Westmoreland County and the presidency. 

Mom was pleased by and often bragged about her children’s many accomplishments, including those of her fifth son, Jim Antoniono.  She loved them all, but her greatest love was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You would understand if you had visited her room at Greensburg Care Center and looked at her bulletin boards filled with pictures.  She never forgot her nieces and nephews either as well as their children. Mom’s love was endless.

She was an avid gardener and outdoor person. She was most comfortable caring for the gardens at Greensburg Care Center, organizing the chairs and sweeping up the dreaded Koosa Dogwood pods!  Mom always needed to have a job, and a purpose that always led to a positive change.  She had a great sense of humor, even being “cuckoo, cuckoo” until the end of her life. I was blessed to have the last memories of my mom being a few weeks ago in Westmoreland Hospital, her singing, laughing, and showing love to her family.  She may be physically gone, but the memory of her life touches us all, and will continue to do so in our lives, our thoughts, and our memories of time spent with her.

Jeanne is survived by her children Donald S. Griffith Jr. (Joanna), Daniel A. Griffith (Diane), Mary C. Rock, Patricia A. Griffith, Susan J. Hoover (Paul), Richard L. Griffith (Sherri), Margaret J. Kreppel, and David B. Griffith. She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren: Mikey Griffith (Joy), Darren Griffith (Katrina), Michele Brown (Tim), Bobbi Jeanne Altman (Clay), Kaitlin Jeanne Hoover, Glenn Goodman, and Rebecca Hovsepian (Cameron); and 11 great-grandchildren:

Aiden Griffith, Curtis Brown, Brock Altman, Jane Altman, Liam Flowers, Lila Flowers, Destin Brewer, Violet Hicks, Vera Hicks, Constantine Hovsepian, and Noble Hovsepian; and a beloved niece, Cathy Grieve (Rick) and their family. She is also survived by many dear friends, too numerous to mention (you know who you are)!

Jeanne was predeceased by her parents Jack Barnes and Eleanor Otto Barnes; Donald S. Griffith Sr., husband; William Menold, partner; Ruth Grieve (Jim), sister/brother-in-law; Robert O. Barnes (Eileen), brother/sister-in-law; David Rock, son-in-law; Nancy Griffith, daughter in law; Christopher Kreppel, grandson; Jodi Gift, niece.

Friends will be received from 3 to 7 PM Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 516 Stanton Street, Greensburg, A celebration of life service to honor the life of Jeanne Griffith will begin at 11 AM Thursday, June 5, 2025, in the funeral home with the Rev. Paul L. Hoover officiating. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. 

Special thanks to our excellent and compassionate care team who loved and cared for Mom at home: Michele Brown, Carrie Veronesi, and Kelli Kastronis. Also, our thanks to Excela Health Home Care & Hospice who were wonderful with our mother.

Proverbs 31:29,31 (NLT), “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all! Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”

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