Obituary of Jean Shirley Griffin Elliott

ELLIOTT, Jean Shirley Griffin - Born in Hartford, CT on September 17, 1929, died peacefully at home in Toronto on December 19, 2017 at the age of 88.  The daughter of the late Samuel and Florence (née Smith) Griffin, she is survived by her loving daughter Jean Smith Elliott (Robert Williams), her brother William Griffin (Shirley), her sister Bette Forbes (Bruce), and predeceased by her brother Samuel Griffin and his wife Mary.  She also leaves nieces and nephews Sam Griffin (Marcia), Martin Griffin (Alyson), Martha Hennig, Victoria Ford, Bruce Forbes, and their respective families.

Jean received her A.A. from Hartford College for Women, where she served as President of the Student Council.  She earned her B.A. with First Class Honours in Modern History at Trinity College at the University of Toronto, and her A.M. from Harvard University.  She enjoyed pursuing her interest in history with the Friends of Franklin and the group’s numerous trips to Europe and the United States.

Her career was a rewarding creative and social outlet.  Early on, she enjoyed her work as a telephone company business office supervisor, a department store service manager, and an academic dean.  Years later she applied herself at the Royal Canadian Institute (1982-84) and at the University of Toronto (1984-95).  She loved finding answers to the most unusual questions, meeting and connecting interesting people, and developing extremely popular courses for Later Life Learning.

Jean pursued volunteer opportunities at the U of T with vigor, particularly as Founding President of the Friends of the Library, Trinity College in 1975.  She was a longstanding member of the Corporation of Trinity College and the Soldiers’ Tower Committee.  She also served as President of the University Arts Women’s Club and the University College Faculty Wives.  In 1997, Jean was a proud recipient of the Arbor Award.  

The family is deeply grateful to Veronica Silva for providing many years of devoted care with support from Jocelyn Ocio, Cristy Flores, Joan De Los Santos, and Ria Ruiz.

A service will be held in Trinity College Chapel, 6 Hoskin Ave.,Toronto on Monday January 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception.  As she wished, Jean will be buried next to her parents in St. James’ Cemetery in Glastonbury, Connecticut.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to The Friends of the Library, Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto, M5S 1H8.