Joan Helen Griffenhagen

Vienna

(December 1, 1926 - June 23, 2008)

Joan Helen Griffenhagen, 81, of Vienna, passed away June 23, 2008 at her home after a long illness.

Joan was the beloved wife of George Bernard Griffenhagen; devoted mother of Gary Bernard Griffenhagen, Gordon Wesley Griffenhagen and Barbara Clare Commerce; cherished grandmother of Gregg Mitchell, Heather Lynn, Jason Richard, James Robert, Karen Elizabeth, Jessie Nichole, Casey Michelle; great grandmother of twins George and Gavin; and mother-in-law of Marlene and Edna Griffenhagen.

She was born in London, England, December 1, 1926. Joan Houston was evacuated to Northampton at the age of twelve on September 1, 1939, at the outbreak of World War II to avoid the heavy bombing of London. She returned to London at the age of 16 where she went to work as a receptionist for General Dwight Eisenhower’s headquarters. In March 1944, she met her husband-to-be who was preparing to land on June 6, 1944 during the invasion of Normandy, France. After the end of the war, she became engaged, flew to New York City, and married June 21, 1946 in Hoboken, New Jersey. She lived for four years with her husband in Fresno and Los Angeles, California, where she took several courses at the University of Southern California while her husband was completing his education. She was especially proud when on July 14th, 1950, she was granted U.S. citizenship.

In December1950 the growing family moved to Northern Virginia where she has lived ever since. For a dozen years she served as a Chief Judge for the Fairfax County Electoral Board. She became involved in several bridge clubs, knitting for the family and caring for her loving dogs. She returned on several occasions to visit her family in London and traveled with her husband to many countries around the world. Her favorite trips were cruises that visited Tahiti and Hawaii. She was diagnosed with cancer in July 2007 and after unsuccessful chemotherapy she was transferred to hospice Care on May 6, 2008.

Friends and relatives are invited to a celebration of Joan’s life on Saturday June 28th, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 14806 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA, with the Rev. Russell T. Urban officiating. She will be interred in private ceremonies at the National Memorial Park, 7400 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA. Because of her love for the care of all pets, donations in her name may be made to any animal welfare organization.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Manassas, VA.