Virignia Griffith

Virginia Griffith died on April 7, 2017. She was born Elsa Virginia Miles on July 13, 1925 in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Her father, Russell H. Miles, was a professor of music at the University of Illinois. He composed several sacred pieces for organ and published a book in 1961 on Johannes Sebastian Bach. Her mother, Elsa Berwald Miles, played piano and raised 3 children: Elsa Virginia, Russell H. Miles, Jr., and Barbara Jean who preceded Virginia in death.

Virginia attended Champaign-Urbana High School where she graduated in 1943. She attended the University of Illinois for 2 years.

She married Melvin Richard "Dick" Mesnard in 1947, and moved to Southern California. There she had and raised 5 children: Christine, David, Nadine, Ilene and Geoffrey. The family moved to Littleton, Colorado in 1967.

After Dick and Virginia divorced, she worked as a legal secretary. She met and married Larry Griffith in 1970. They lived in Englewood, Colorado. Larry died on March 15, 2009. Virginia spent her remaining years in assisted care.

She is survived by her 5 children; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

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