Carolyn Crom Griffith
2 Jan. 1928 - 27 Aug. 2005
People who knew Cecy found it easy to describe her. Words like elegant, gracious and
generous come to mind in a moment. She loved her family, her church, and her Lord,
faithfully serving in whatever ways she could.
Cecy was born as Carolyn Ann to loving parents, Raymond Francis and Helen (Seeger)
Crom, on January 2, 1928. She was their only child and the love of their lives. She
was born during the era of the dance craze, the jazz age, and the time of flapper style.
Style became an important part of Cecy's life, and she enjoyed being well dressed,
poised and ladylike in her appearance.
Throughout her childhood, her relationship with her mother was very special. She loved her
dearly and was loved equally in return. Cecy's childhood home was on the north side of
Indianapolis, and she graduated from Tudor Hall in 1946. As a student, she was the tallest
one in her class. Cecy was a pretty young lady with glasses and she easily stood out among
the crowd. After high school, she continued her education by attending Briarcliff College
and Northwestern University. She was an excellent student and she enjoyed being involved
in events on the college campus. Cecy became a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
In her twenties she met a handsome young man named
William Chenoweth Griffith, Jr. The
two were introduced through mutual friends and they soon began to date. In time, they fell
in love. On June 7, 1952 at St. Paul 's Episcopal Church in Indianapolis they wed. Cecy
and Bill had an amazing marriage.
The happy couple was deeply in love and committed to one another throughout their entire
marriage. They raised two wonderf ul children, William III and Ruthelen. Cecy's natural joy
and gregarious sense about her made her a wonderf ul mother. She enjoyed celebrating her
family, and she had a tremendous capacity to love. Bill's family built a home on Lake
Maxinkuckee in Northern Indiana in 1924. It became a wonderf ul place for the family to
spend their summers. It was a tradition for the family to go to the house every summer and
enjoy time together in the lake with her three grandchildren, Andrew, John and Grace.
When the grandchildren were born, they became the fifth generation to enjoy the Griffith
Family home on Maxinkuckee. Cecy was an amazing grandmother. She spoiled her grandchildren
with lots of love and attention. They will always remember the tea parties, stuffed animals,
snacks and goodies and Grancy's house.
Cecy's grace and elegance were best displayed on the dance floor. She was a beautiful
dancer and she loved big band music like Lawrence Welk. She and Bill took time to enjoy
their marriage, and they did lots of fun, f ulfilling things together. For eighteen years
they traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica and stayed at the Sunset House. Later in the seventies,
they began traveling to Hawaii and made that their get away for several years. Eventually,
Delray Beach, Florida became their retreat. They both loved the ocean and the sun. Cecy was
in her glory with sunshine and her other favorite treat, chocolate. When Bill was sixty he
was diagnosed with Cancer. He was able to go on living for eight more years before passing
away. Cecy was by Bill's side through it all. The loss was painful, although she never
truly recovered from that tremendous void in her life.
She was a strongly spiritual woman. Her faith was grounded in the Episcopalian tradition,
and she was a long time member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She was also very active within
the church community serving on the Arts Memorial Committee. She had a strong prayer life,
and her favorite prayer was the Prayer of St. Francis. She also served on the Board of
Directors of Cathedral Arts, Inc. Cecy was a loyal and dutif ul woman and spent years giving
back to her community. She served on the Board of the Community Hospital Foundation,
Indianapolis Zoological Society and as a trustee at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She
also devoted her time to working with Christamore Aid Society, the Indianapolis Garden Club,
the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Women's Committee of the Indiana State
Symphony. Even though Cecy was generally a private person, she had many friends and
associated with lots of people. Throughout the years she was a part of the Crooked Stick
Golf Club, Meridian Hills Country Club, and Woodstock Club. She also enjoyed being a member
of Traders Point Hunt, the Dramatic Club and Lambs Club. She and Bill were members of the
Maxinkuckee Country Club, Maxinkuckee Yacht Club, Country Club of Florida, Seagate Beach
Club and the Delray Beach Club. Cecy looked at each day as a new day, a new chance to make
friends, make a memory, and make a difference.
Cecy was a spirited and loving mother, who always gave selflessly to enrich the lives of
those around her. Devoted to both family and faith, she spent her life serving both inside
and outside her home, but was always able to enjoy the simple beauties in life. Cecy's
elegance and beauty will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. She will be dearly
missed and fondly remembered.
Carolyn Ann "Cecy" Crom Griffith, 77, lifelong resident of Indianapolis, died peacefully,
surrounded by her family on August 27, 2005. Mrs. Griffith was preceded in death by her
husband, William Chenoweth Griffith, Jr. Her family includes her children, William Chenoweth
Griffith, III (Gerry) and Ruthelen Crom Griffith Burns (Andrew T.); grandchildren, Andrew
Griffith Burns, John Christopher Burns, and Grace Elizabeth Burns. Friends and family will
gather on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Fortune Room at Trinity Episcopal
Church. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the church with interment following at
Crown Hill Cemetery.- Life Story Network, www.l ifestorynet. com/memories/7283
Carolyn "Cecy" Crom Griffith 77, lifelong resident of Indianapolis, died peacefully on August 27, 2005. Mrs. Griffith
was born on January 2, 1928 to the late Raymond Francis and Helen (Seeger) Crom.
She graduated from Tudor Hall in 1946 and from Briarcliff College in 1948. Mrs. Griffith also attended Northwestern University
and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
She married respected businessman, William Chenoweth Griffith, Jr., in 1952, and he preceded her in death
in 1992.
Mrs. Griffith was very active in various philanthropic and social organizations in Indianapolis for many years.
She was a longtime member of Trinity Episcopal Church and had served on the church's Arts Memorial Committee. She served
on the Boards of Directors of Cathedral Arts, Inc. and Community Hospital Foundation. She was a founding member of the
Indianapolis Zoological Society and was a Life Trustee at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. In addition, Mrs. Griffith was
associated with the Christamore Aid Society, the Indianapolis Garden Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and
had served on the Women's Committee of the Indiana State Symphony. As a longtime supporter of the Orchard School, Mrs.
Griffith was a recipient of "The Distinguished Friend Award." Mrs. Griffith was a member of Crooked Stick Golf Club,
Meridian Hills Country Club, and Woodstock Club. She was also a member of Traders Point Hunt, Dramatic Club, and Lambs
Club. Having enjoyed spending time on Lake Maxinkuckee and in Delray Beach, Florida, she was a member of the Maxinkuckee
Country Club, Maxinkuckee Yacht Club, Country Club of Florida, Seagate Beach Club, and the Delray Beach Club.
Survivors include her children, William Chenoweth Griffith, III (Gerry) and Ruthelen Griffith Burns (Andrew T.); grandchildren,
Andrew Griffith Burns, John Christopher Burns, and Grace Elizabeth Burns.
Friends and family will gather on Wednesday from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Fortune Room at Trinity Episcopal Church. Funeral services
will begin at 2 p.m. in the church with interment following at Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the
Christamore House, Indianapolis Zoo, St. Vincent Hospice or donor's favorite charity. Funeral arrangements by the Leppert Life
Story Funeral Home, Nora Chapel.
Indianapolis Star, The (IN)
Date: August 30, 2005
Edition: FINAL EDITION
Page: B04