Griswold

Helen Florence Galbraith Griswold, 93, of Silver City, died on June 15, 2013 at Silver City Care Center. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Bright Funeral Home. Services will be at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on July 13 at 11 a.m. Helen Griswold was born in Wichita Falls, Texas and raised in El Paso, Texas. She was the daughter of Jean Carr Galbraith and James Charles Galbraith, who was one of the founders of Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company. She was educated at Ward Belmont Finishing School, Nashville, Tenn., and graduated with a BA in history from Texas Western College (now UTEP) in El Paso. She taught school in Cloudcroft, N.M. where she met her husband Franklin Steele Griswold of New Britain, Conn., who, after graduating from Yale University, was a U.S. Forest Ranger. During World War II, while Frank was overseas, Helen and her parents offered hospitality to the troops attending St. Clement's Episcopal Church. She was also a nurse's aid. After the war, she and her husband Frank lived in Yuma and Florence, Ariz. and Silver City where he was manager for Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company. She was devoted to her husband, her children, and the Episcopal Church. For many years she taught Sunday school, played the piano and organ for services, was active in fund raising and outreach, and worked on selection committees for Bishop and Rector. Her cooking and hospitality were her trademarks. She was also active in the League of Women Voters, the Silver City Museum, and was a founding member of Grant County Planned Parenthood. She enjoyed playing bridge, painting and traveling. She attended many Elder Hostel programs, including a visit to Poland where she helped teach ESL at a middle school. She would often attend Elderhostel programs near her children and grandchildren so she could visit. She and Frank adopted five children in addition to their child. She was active in the American Field Service and hosted four foreign students, Hans Ulrich Flood of Norway, Carlos Ayalla of Mexico, Dag of Norway, and Ruurd Abma of the Netherlands. She was predeceased by husband Franklin Steele Griswold. She is survived by her children, Gretchen Griswold Bryan and husband, Kenneth Bryan, John Irwin Griswold and wife, Tonnagay Griswold, Molly Christine Griswold and husband, Robert Conner, Franklin Steele Griswold Jr. and wife, Karen Griswold, Henry Howard Griswold, and Edwin Conrad Griswold and wife, Susan Griswold. Grandchildren are Kenneth Edward Bryan, Douglas Mattson Bryan, Franklin Charles Griswold, Sydney Lynn Griswold, Sally Christine Ulrey, Roby Douglas Conner, and Luke Daniel Griswold. Great-grandchildren are Fiona Eden Bryan, Remnant Conrad Ulrey, and Kenna Mattson Bryan. Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, "Traditional Services and Care for your family and friends," 210 W. College Ave., Silver City, NM. 575-388-1911. To send condolences, log in to www.brightfuneral.net.