Cecelia Griffin

Cecelia Gloria (Harris) Griffin was born in Washington D.C.  to the late John E. Harris and the late Flora V. Harris. She was the fourth of 7 children and was educated in the Cambridge Public School system, attending Houghton Elementary and Cambridge High & Latin Schools.

Cecelia went on to work at the Navy Yard after high school and then New England Confectioners Co (NECCO) and while raising her children there were a number of businesses in the building next to her home which offered her the opportunity to work and raise her family. Affectionately known as “Ce” or “Auntie Ce” around Cambridge, everyone knew her. She was never afraid to fight for doing what was right, you could often find her at City Hall if there was an issue in dispute, giving her opinion and asking to speak to the Mayor.

Cecelia married the late James Benjamin Griffin, Sr on October 6, 1943 and together raised 6 children. Cecelia’s top priority was her family and she always took much pride in them. Her second love was gardening. She loved her garden and spent many spring and summer days tending to her flowers and favorite rose bush. Cecelia was also an active member of the Freedom House Senior Citizen Center and was able to share her love of dance through their line dance group, the Goldennaires, performing all over Boston. And mostly importantly she loved God. An active member of Western Avenue Baptist Church for many decades, Cecelia had a heart of Christ, instilling this in her family and sharing her love for God through serving others until she was called home on Sunday, November 22, 2020.

Cecelia was predeceased in death by her husband James B.; her two sons Carl W. and Dean S.; her five brothers and four sisters in law, Mahoney (Sylvia), Thomas (Mary), Anthony, Edwin (Louise) and Edward (Ruby) and her sister and brother in law, Vivian (Harvey Sr.).

She is survived by her two sons and daughters in law, James B. Griffin, Jr (Maria) and Stephen M. Griffin (Lorraine), two daughters and sons in law, Antoinette M. Iozzo (Joseph) and Diane C. Burgess (Garry), her Daughter in law, Brenda L., her 13 Grandchildren, 25 Great-Grandchildren, 6 Great-great grandchildren, extended family Florence, Jenny and Michael Ladd; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

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