Beverly "Bev" Joyce Griffin
March 31, 1921 - October 4, 2013
Beverly Joyce Griffin, 92, of Pocatello, Idaho was born on March 31, 1921 in Dodson, Montana to Chauncey Warren and Elizabeth "Betty" (Dudek) Griffin. She had only one sister, Allison. Beverly moved with her family to Pocatello at about the age of two. Bev grew up in Pocatello, and graduated from Pocatello High School and Idaho State University (college then). Bev also attended college at Moscow, Idaho. Bev began her teaching career at Grandview, Idaho, then taught in Pocatello in the first grade at Whittier School for 40 years, then at Greenacres School until retirement. She was active in Retired Teacher's, the 39's, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Bev spent many hours volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul.
Beverly is survived by her niece, Randolyn Hopkins (Neal) of El Sobrante, California; nephew, Michael McCauley (Charlene) of Prescott, Arizona; great-nieces, Stacy Moffitt (James) of Pocatello; Debbie Sinclair (Mark) of Goodyear, Arizona, Constance Awenasa of Seattle, Washington, Barbara McCauley (Ron) of Houston, Texas and Christopher McCauley of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by six great-great nieces.
A Catholic Rosary Service will be held Friday, October 11th at 5:30 P.M. at Downard Funeral Home, 241 North Garfield Ave., Pocatello, Idaho, (208) 233-0686. A viewing will follow the Rosary and will continue until 7:30 P.M. The Mass of a Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Spirit Catholic Community, St. Anthony's Chapel, 504 North 7th Ave, Pocatello. Friends who wish may send donations to Delta Kappa Gamma Beta Chapter Scholarship Honoring Beverly Joyce Griffin, (Rita Haggardt, 2037 East Lewis, Pocatello, Idaho.) Condolences may be emailed to the family at [email protected]

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Published by Idaho State Journal from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Beverly Griffin

15 Entries

Linda Miles

October 3, 2022

My husband Rick, now 78, had Beverly as his first grade teacher. Over the years he kept in touch and as a married couple, we often visited her on Wilson Street. As a former teacher myself, I sometimes discussed classroom discipline techniques with her. One time she and I traded "the glance" which was guaranteed to cut any classroom disturbance in the bud. I had taught only seven years but gave my best stern face that sometimes worked on a rowdy class. Bev countered with the most awesome, bone-chilling stare we had ever seen. We gasped and then burst into laughter. She was born to be a great teacher!

Alia McHugh

September 30, 2022

Oh wow, I sure did love Beverly. My husband and I bought the pink house next door to her back when we were still so young in 2005. Our eldest was not even a year old yet and he just turned 18 a few weeks ago. I have so many good memories of Beverly. I used to really love to garden and she would always come outside and we would just talk for hours about all kinds of stuff. I'll never forget how sweet she was to me and to my children. and she talked a lot about how she used to be a school teacher. I bet the kids that she taught absolutely adored her just as much as I did. I can't believe that she's been gone for almost 10 years already. I miss her a lot. She was a great woman.

Rick Miles

October 25, 2013

In 1950, way before the days of kindergarten, Beverly taught me first grade at Roosevelt Grade School in Alameda. She lived right up the street, so I've known her ever since and always looked her up when I returned to Pocatello for visits. Over the years, we exchanged Christmas cards. I saved hers because her distinctive and beautiful handwriting looked just like a Courier typewriter. I told her if she couldn't read my handwriting, then it was her fault. Since she taught 40 students per class for 45 years, about 1800 fortunate children benefited from her kindness and talent. I'm proud to have been one of them.

Blake Hill

October 14, 2013

Miss Griffin taught us in about 1965-66. She was an amazing teacher. Those fantastic outfits she wore with the bright red lipstick and bright beads around her neck, She was as colorful as she could be. She demanded something from each of us since she wanted us to be better than at times we were willing to give. You knew exactly what she wanted from you and less than your best was not accepted. What a tremendous teacher. To all of us that had her, we were the luckiest kids in the world. God bless Miss Griffin and all the other teachers in the world like her.

Maggie Sidell

October 12, 2013

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, weddings, birthdays, Sunday breakfasts or just because dinner party ~ rare was the event that the fabulous Bev Griffin did not honor our family by joining in.

My mother, Dorothy Sidell, first met Bev at the Pocatello depot, when she arrived in the early 1950's, a young wife and then mother of two to meet up with my dad, who worked for the UP. Bev was waiting with my aunt Althea Sidell for mom's train to arrive; my mother and Bev soon became fast and lifetime friends.

I smile to remember her perfectly coiffed red curly hair, and make up that was never smudged. She had remarkably matched outfits and shoes (and those crazy socks!), and her cards and notes were written in careful calligraphy. She was always willing to play cards, board games, and Barbie's with any kid that would ask.

Thank you for being the Auntie Bev to my siblings and countless nieces and nephews that followed. You were loved, and your memory will always bring us happy smiles.

Sweet dreams,

Allie McHugh

October 10, 2013

Beverly was my next door neighbor for about 8 years. I will never forget our talks which were mostly about gardening, hair, her nephew and crazy cats. Beverly was always so sweet to my family and always made us smile. I will definitely miss her.

She had a lot of stories to remind me.

Leslie Christensen

October 10, 2013

Leslie Christensen She was my fist grade teacher many times, because before I was old enough for school.I was playing all time with the kids at the bus stop and of course join in eventually in Miss Griffin class at least 10 times.She call my mom to pick me up again.I was finally official in her class. I do have many stories of her with her pretty red hair she had.My best teacher I ever had and got me started right. Love You with all my heart.

Auntie Bev at Rosetta Assisted Living: Go ISU!!

Stacy Moffitt

October 10, 2013

Thank you so much for all the beautiful wonderful kind stories you have all shared about our Auntie Bev! We could never go anywhere with Auntie Bev without running into one of her students! It was always so fun for us to be with her when that happened. Thank you again for posting such lovely thoughts! Stacy Moffitt (great- great niece) and Randi Hopkins (great niece).

Auntie Bev at Rosetta : GO ISU!!!

Stacy Moffitt

October 10, 2013

Lurlene Haag

October 10, 2013

I remember Miss Griffin -that beautiful red haired teacher from Whittier School where I attended as a child and loved that lady with that beautiful red hair because she was so unique. I grew up knowing her as being Miss Griffin to Beverly after I grew up and when she began teaching at Greenacres School where all five of my children attended and then I got to know her even better at our church. She was always the same with her sunny smile and her 'happy all the time disposition'- She was a ray of sunshine to all who knew her. Whenever I saw her out and about we always took the time to chat, I always rushed up to her so that I wouldn't miss one moment of her visits even if we had to be some place else, she was that special. She lived a fabulous life and her teaching all of us here in Pocatello certainly was God's gift to all of us who were lucky enough to have had her as our teacher.

Connie Madsen

October 10, 2013

It was a true honor to be a student of "Miss" Griffin.I was in her 1st grade class in '63('64)and she always made every student know they were special. Even 40 years later she recognized me and took time to visit. She was an amazing person! Her memory will always be a part of me.Prayers for her family...

Nancy Higgins-Huls

October 10, 2013

She was my first grade teaacher. What a wonderful lady. She helped shape my life, even at that young age.

Martin Putnam

Jake Putnam

October 10, 2013

Thanks so much Miss Griffin;
You took interest in this little rag muffin, you told me I was bright and I believed it. You took interest in all the lost boys and girls of Whittier.

You were one of the first of your teaching generation to use praise and support as tools to build up students at a time when others were breaking kids down.

Because of you I saw myself in a different light and 50 years later, the light still burns. I went on to do what other teachers didnt think possible, I got a college education, I travelled the world, I met Presidents,chatted with the King of Spain, I won an Emmy, I became a world class athlete and yes, I even taught school. I remember how proud you were when I came and substitute taught at Whittier in the classroom next door. I had just graduated from college and we had a wonderful talk, you remembered so much about me and my family.

I came from such a modest background, most of my teachers wrote me off because I wore tattered clothes...but you told me I was special and I believed it. Now Im returning the favor, you are special! Your kindness, that lovely smile, lives on my thoughts, it's a slice of immortality...

Martin Jake Putnam
1st grade class 1963, Whittier

Julenne Roche-Spaletta

October 10, 2013

Ms. Griffin was my 1st grade teacher at Whittier in the '60s and I have never forgotten her. I am sure she had this same impact on all of her students. Prayers to her family.

Vondell Lowe

October 10, 2013

Thank you for your years of loving care in educating our children. Truly a great teacher and remarkable lady. As one of your former Room Mothers I was witness to the excellent skills and devotion to your profession. Rest in peace.

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