Winifred Griffen

Winifred M. Griffen, lovingly known as Win, Winnie, or Dr. Win-and to her grandchildren as TL (That Lady) or Dadaji-passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, at the age of 88. A survivor of polio and three bouts of breast cancer, she lived with strength and optimism. Her final days were marked by the same curiosity, warmth, and humor that defined her decades as a therapist, world traveler, artist, and matriarch.

Born Margaret Winifred McGavran on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1936 in Bilaspur, India, Win's life began as a story of cross-cultural resilience. The daughter of American missionaries, Donald and Mary McGavran, she traveled by ocean liners in third class as a child yet often sneaked into first class and once climbed a ship's mast during a storm-a foreshadowing of her boldness and audacious spirit. Her formative years were spent at Woodstock School in the Himalayas, where she developed independence amidst breathtaking landscapes but also felt the ache of separation from her parents. These years shaped her love of nature and deepened friendships forged over mountain hikes and monsoons.

Win's intellectual journey mirrored her adventurous spirit. She initially pursued organ and vocal studies at Westminster Choir College, earning a Minister of Music degree before marriage redirected her path. Undeterred by life's challenges, she later completed a BA in Music and pivoted to psychology, earning a Master's in Family Therapy and a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

For 35 years, her Pasadena psychotherapy practice became a sanctuary for clients who found solace in her compassionate listening and wisdom. Win often likened family therapy to "conducting an orchestra," skillfully harmonizing complex dynamics into meaningful resolutions. Her work left an indelible mark on countless lives.

Win chased adventure with daring enthusiasm: tiger hunts during her youth in India, an African safari later in life, and a solo return to India in her 50s to retrace childhood steps. Yet her wilderness wasn't just geographical-it extended to the spaces she created around her. Her home was filled with meaningful artifacts: paintings she loved or created herself, sculptures collected from journeys abroad, and cherished letters from loved ones. Even as macular degeneration limited her sight in later years, Win continued painting and creating art that reflected her vibrant inner world.

Music was ever-present throughout Win's life-from symphonies to Broadway and Louis Armstrong tunes-and remained a source of joy even as she lost her vision. Audiobooks became her portal to new worlds when reading was no longer possible. In the months before her passing, she launched the first Women's Poetry Circle at her retirement community.

Win had an unparalleled ability to connect with people-whether lifelong friends or strangers she met on the street-leaving them feeling seen and valued. Most of all, she loved to laugh with others and found joy in shared moments of humor and connection.

Win's true opus was her family. She is survived by her daughter Mary Van Amringe (Ken), son Karn Griffen (Sabrina Sachdeva), five grandchildren-Lindsay Winn (Mark), Kate Van Amringe, Griffin Van Amringe, Alex Griffen, Mena Griffen-great-granddaughter Ainsley Winn and great-grandson Bodie Winn. To them, she was more than a grandmother or mother. She was the architect of fun adventures, meaningful conversations, special trips, and countless cherished memories. Her surviving family also includes her sister Patricia Sheafor (Scribner), nine nephews and five nieces all of whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased by her siblings, Mary Theodora McGavran, Jean Davis (John), Helen Corneli (Kip) and Malcolm McGavran (Ursula).

A celebration of Win's extraordinary life will take place on June 7th at 2:00 at All Saints Church in Pasadena, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Altadena's Girls (reflecting Win's advocacy for empowering young women and her prior residency in Altadena), The Macular Degeneration Research Foundation (honoring her resilience through vision loss), or The Voices of Children Foundation (supporting psychological aid for Ukrainian victims of war).

Win taught us that everyone and everything has meaning-you just have to seek it out.

Win's legacy lives on in every client who found courage through her guidance, every grandchild who carries forward her wisdom and humor, and every sunset that still whispers tales of Himalayan adventures.