Carmen Griffin

Carmen Griffin, 83, passed away peacefully with her family close by.

She left behind hundreds of miniature perfume bottles that her children have no idea what to do with. So, if you’re looking for knick knacks you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch. Tomorrow would be fine.

This is not an ad for a pawn shop, but an obituary for a great Woman (Carm), Mother (Mom), Grandmother (Gramma Sugar & Nanna) and Great-Grandmother (GG) born on June 15, 1936 in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of the late Librado Hernandez (raised by late Carmen Morales) and Julia Morales.

She leaves behind a very dysfunctional yet loving family that she was very proud of. Her children fondly remember her for her extensive vocabulary, and ability to use the wrong words, such as Bremum Mall (Bremen Mall), peruvial vision (peripheral vision), windls (windows), drunk drawer (junk drawer) and the Jewels and that’s just a tip of the iceberg.

She had a crazy crush on Johnny Mathis and loved to listen to all his music, plus Funny Girl and Fiddler on the Roof to name a few.

Contrary to her husband Frank’s (Stinky’s) stories, she was a good cook, her specialty was burnt French bread. We did not know until eating dinner in a restaurant that garlic bread wasn’t black on top. And, it didn’t required scraping. She invented “elephant eggs” (scrambled eggs with ketchup) which she could never remember how she came up with that, but it was the only way to get her sons to eat eggs.

She enjoyed many hobbies over the years, puzzles, crocheting lap blankets for hospitalized veterans, ceramics and most recently napping with dad. But her most recognized trait was her ability to talk to anyone, anytime. She would make people she just met, feel like they had already been friends. The doctors, nurses and interns would be visibly disappointed when she would leave the hospital or rehab facility. She was like the prom queen, they would go out of their way to visit her before she left the facility, you’d expect a parade to start it was such a big deal.

Carmen and her husband Frank were fortunate to be able to travel and see a large part of the world. And they met and cultivated many lifelong friendships on those trips with people from all over the U.S. Frank’s fondest memories is watching Carmen yell at the TV while watching da Bears, and movie hopping on seniors’ day at Marcus Theaters.

Her children, Chris (Michael), Cindy (Bill), Colleen, Frank & Ed (Donna) have lost a light in their lives and a piece of their hearts that can never be replaced. Her grandkids Michael & Brian (Chris & Mike), Jeff (Cindy & Bill), Jordan & Austin (Frank) have lost a Gramma Sugar & Nanna that was such a big part of their lives from childhood to adulthood, her granddaughter in-law Leksi who gave her two precious great-granddaughters (Makenna & Madison) who became the light in her life will hopefully remember how much GG loved them.

Her husband Frank lost his friend, his wife, the love of his life (despite their endless bickering!).

Carmen came from a family of 10 children. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Rosie, Lucy & Rita. And brothers, Bobby, Frank, Sam, Danny & Dicky. She is survived by her dear sister Ruth (Quie), cousins and friends too many to mention, she loved them all dearly, you know who you are.

Carmen insisted that there be no fuss, so the family (at the risk of mom haunting us) will be holding a quaint luncheon for her immediate family, sister, in-laws and nieces, nephews, cousins and a few very close friends. We hope you all understand the importance of honoring her wishes as much as we can.

Our minds still talk to you, our hearts still look for you, our souls know you are at peace.