Karla Mae Griffith

Karla Mae Griffith

October 14, 1949 – January 2, 2013

We lost a bright light from this world on January 2, 2013 when Karla Griffith, age 63, passed away from complications related to cancer. Karla started her life in Belleville Illinois, daughter to Wain and Ethel Westfall, October 14, 1949. She graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale with a bachelor degree in social work and moved to Tucson Arizona with her close friend Nancy Davis (Fossland). She spent a few years in the groovy world around San Francisco before moving to the Snoqualmie Valley 38 years ago. The majority of her work career was invested in counseling delinquent youth, starting as a case manager at Echo Glen Children’s Center, moving to parole services, and returning to Echo Glen as an associate superintendent – retiring in 2009. Her home life centered around her brave and wonderful son Darby Summers, rambunctious and loving grandsons Caiden and Hunter, her devoted husband David “Grif” Griffith, and a legion of friends.Karla could not help but be engaging and approachable. People gravitated to her warmth and generous spirit, clients loved her, and she had a way of making you feel happy and comfortable. Since her passing there have been numerous stories shared about times she put someone at ease during small moments of crisis, or advocating for the downtrodden and those not always supported. She has been described as courageous, straight forward, funny, one who cared for others above herself, quick to laugh, and at her job – professional while at the same time real. She was passionate about gardening and playing with her grandkids. She also spent a lot of time on the water – whitewater rafting, sailing, fishing, waterskiing, swimming, snorkeling, or just floating on an air mattress. Though she would be grumpy during long car trips she loved the destinations and exploring. There always seemed to be a parade of cherished pets, most arriving unannounced, that she loved and doted on – prompting a friend to desire to be reincarnated as her dog. She is survived by her husband, son, grandsons, mother Ethel Westfall, sister Karen Patterson, friend and neighbor Caroline Main, and her tight group of girlfriends. A memorial get together will be arranged, and donations can be made to her favorite charity St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com. We will miss you sweetheart. In life you were always the one that got us out on the dance floor.