Denise Lynn Griffith

Denise Lynn Griffith, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away suddenly in the hospital. Born in Virginia in 1960 to George Smith and Eva Mae Smith (née Wright), Denise lived a life of warmth, generosity, and creativity that touched everyone around her.
Denise is survived by her devoted husband and loving best friend, Billy Joe Griffith; her children, Vincent Lusardi, Jacob Larimore, and Charles Larimore; her stepdaughter, Mary Boone; her grandson, Ethan Lusardi; her step-grandchildren, Lisa Baker, Christopher Baker, and William Hunter Dagil; as well as her siblings, George Smith, Andrea Smith, Chris Smith, and Dana Vinca, and their children.
Denise worked as a lead bank teller at M&T Bank in Seaford, a role she cherished for the opportunity it gave her to connect to her community. She loved to learn about her clients' lives and did whatever she could to help them succeed. Her empathy and resourcefulness left a lasting impact. She wasn't afraid to step in to help, once even intervening in a phone fraud scheme by confronting the scammer directly and chastising him the way only a mother could before threatening to call the FBI.
Beyond her career, Denise dedicated time to volunteering with the southern chapter of Autism Delaware. She was also an artist in her own right, although she would never admit to it; creating beautiful crafts from natural materials like pine shats, vines, and crowsfoot plants. Her home, adorned with her handmade baskets, wreaths, and painted stones, radiated the comfort and creativity she shared with others.
Denise loved spending quiet days with her husband on the Nanticoke River, fishing, crabbing, or simply enjoying the water. At home, she delighted in lighthearted TV shows like The Penguins of Madagascar and would spend her evenings visiting friends and family. A history enthusiast with a special interest in local hauntings, she found joy in exploring ghost stories-from finding spirits in inviting coffee shops to visiting lonely country roads.
Known for her infectious smile and genuine spirit, Denise never met a stranger. She approached life with optimism, often saying, "The cup is half full, not half empty," and refused to accept "it is what it is" for an answer. Denise made it her mission to bring light to everyone she met, leaving behind a legacy of hope and kindness. Her husband fondly remarked, "If anyone didn't like her, it was only because something was wrong with them."
Services will be held at Cranston's Funeral Home on Shipley Street, followed by a gathering at a venue to be determined.
In honoring Denise's memory, her family asks that you carry her spirit forward by looking on the bright side and making someone's day a little brighter-just as she would have done. In lieu of flowers, donations to help recover her emergency medical bills & funeral expenses can be made on GoFundMe, https://gofund.me/9eaceb8a
The family extends their thanks for the compassion, hard work and consideration of the emergency medical professionals at every step of the process.
A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM with a public visitation from 12:00 to 1:00 PM at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N Shipley Street, Seaford, DE. Burial will follow the services at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Seaford, DE.
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