Opal Jean Whitaker Griffin
Opal Jean Whitaker Griffin
1930 – 2022
Opal Jean Whitaker Griffin, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and sister returned to her Heavenly Father at the age of 91 on July 31, 2022. She was born October 24, 1930, in Salt Lake City, UT to Wilford Woodruff Whitaker Sr. and Dora Edith Boyce. She was the 8th out of 11 children. After Jean’s birth her family moved to Nevada and then Washington state where she finished her schooling at Kittitas High School. She began her residence in Provo, UT in 1949 when she started school at Brigham Young University studying Music and English.
Jean met the love of her life, Lewis Lorenzo Griffin, at an April Fool’s Day dance while they were both attending Brigham Young University. They were married September 17, 1949, in Ellensburg, WA and sealed together October 3, 1949, in the Manti Temple. They lived most of their life in Provo, UT with some time in Escalante and Lehi UT and Oahu, HI.
Jean was a dedicated homemaker. She loved spending time in the kitchen creating delicious meals for her family. Jean loved baking cookies, cakes, and other desserts. Her homemade chocolates were superb. Her treasured bread recipe has been passed down to her family and many children and grandchildren use that recipe today. Her family absolutely loved her raspberry jam, brownies with homemade frosting, and her date pudding. Her potato salad was the first item eaten at family functions. She also held many other part-time jobs such as a clerk/typist at General Electric and was a telephone operator. She was a substitute teacher in schools (when asked), worked in a bakery while at BYU, took in ironing to supplement the family income, and taught piano lessons for many years. She was also a talented musician and loved to sing. She would sing at multiple funerals with her friends Jane Call and Elsie Urie. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines, Singing Mothers, and many ward and stake choirs.
Jean was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in numerous callings, including Chorister, Pianist, Organist, Quilting Specialist, Stake Primary Presidency, and Stake Relief Society Presidency. Jean and Lewis also served a mission in Chula Vista, San Diego, CA. They were proud that they were able to send 7 sons on missions.
Later in life Jean found the talent of painting. Her walls were filled with paintings which are now enjoyed by her children and grandchildren. Jean was also a member of the Red Hats Society and loved being a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
Jean and Lewis had eight wonderful children in 22 years. Richard (Teresa), Gary (Peggy), Dean (Terry), Jolene (Neil) Durrant, Alan (Regina), Robert (Kristin), Michael (Catherine), and Ronald (Krystal). Jean felt her posterity was her greatest accomplishment. She sacrificed many things for her family throughout her life. She has 40 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Jean is survived by her younger twin brothers Robert (Shaunna) and Richard (LeeAnne) Whitaker both from South Jordan, UT. She is preceded in death by her parents Wilford and Dora; siblings (Marne, Ballard, Yvonne, Thomas, John, Eugenia, Dora, and Wilford Jr.); her loving spouse Lewis; son, Richard; daughter in law, Pearlene; and grandson-in-law Kevin.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11 am in the Marrott Meadows Ward Chapel at 102 North 2400 West, Provo. Friends may call at the ward chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to services. Funeral services can be viewed via Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/93882714813 Interment, Provo City Cemetery. Funeral Directors – Warenski Funeral Home of American Fork, UT.
The family would like to thank all of those who have cared for their mom: Beehive Homes in Salem (Pam), Healthwatch (Sarah, Jessica & Gerri), and A+ Hospice (Logan and Bailey). A special thanks also goes out to their sister Jolene who took care of her mom for the past 2 years in her home.