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Ann GRIFFIN Obituary
Ann's obvious love of animals is evidenced by her lifetime career. For over 20 years, she owned and operated The Dog Collar in McLean, Va., receiving much recognition, honorable mentions, and awards. After relocating to the Roanoke area, she owned and operated The Dog House for over 10 years. Ann loved all animals. She was always rescuing dogs, cats, and horses. Ann responded to another animal SOS, rescuing a miniature horse and bringing it home in the back of her mini-van.
For friends, family, and even strangers, Ann was known for her generosity. If she saw a need, she was always available with assistance. She loved lending a helping hand, making people laugh, and watching Food Network.
In spite of everything Ann was going through last week, she went to a lot of trouble to make her special roasted corn salsa recipe to give dishes of love to her mom and sisters. This was typical; Ann loved doing special things for others. Recycling was another one of Ann's special projects. Ann loved animals, people, and saving the Earth's resources.
A Celebration of Ann's Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2012, at The Dog House, 6905 Williamson Road, Roanoke, Va. 24019. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Angels of Assisi, 415 Campbell Avenue, SW, Roanoke, VA 24015 or to the American Liver Foundation, 39 Broadway, Suite 2700, New York, NY 10006.
Online condolences may be made to her family at www. valleyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements by
Memories and Condolences
for Ann GRIFFIN
August 5, 2019
You're with me all the time. Right here in this heart of mine, you'll always be a part of me.
David
Evelyn Krippendorf
July 10, 2012
My heart is broken over losing our Ann. It is evident from the guest book how much she was loved by people and animals alike. She groomed and loved my Baron, Red Dog, Lily and Wish for most of their lives, and they loved her, too. She was always so kind to them, and they were all excited about going to The Dog House. I regret that I was in the hospital on the day of her memorial service, and so could not attend. I would love to have talked with her many friends and shared memories about her. Every time I look at each of my dogs, I will remember Ann and think about her meeting her beloved animals at the Rainbow Bridge.
July 9, 2012
Due to the power outage and having to open our house up to relatives, we were unable to attend Ann's memorial service. We had planned to be there and our thoughts that day were so torn between helping our family and being with you all. I hope you realize how much we love you all and how much we loved Ann! The McDaniels...Tony, Fay and Gracie
Angel with a bow in her hair after Ann groomed her
Trish Fisher
July 8, 2012
Dear Family and Friends of Ann,
What a beautiful picture of Ann! I can imagine the crushing sadness and loss you feel from Ann's passing, as I have felt this myself for my loves. I cry for you. Ann groomed my Samoyed, Angel, for the five years Angel was with me. Angel died of liver cancer on August 22, 2011. Angel was last at your shop in early spring 2011. It was not a coincidence that I took a wrong turn as I drove to pick her up that day. I got lost and it was after dark when I arrived. There was Angel, behind the fence with Ann and Julie, enjoying treats and a TV quiz show. I think Angel wanted to spend more time with you guys - one last time.
I hope it can bring you comfort, (maybe not now, but later), that Ann was greeted with love, joy, and kisses from all of the two-legged and four-legged folks that passed to the other side before her. I especially hope that Ann's son realizes that, although his Mom is not with him physically, she is still with him.
Sincerely,
Wanda Wilburn
June 28, 2012
I am so saddened and my heart broke when I received my letter. I have been bringing my dog Fee Fee to The Dog House for years and Ann always kissed her bye. Both of us will miss her tremendously
LARRY FRANCE
June 26, 2012
JULIE,I'AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT ANN'S PASSING.MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE FAMILY.
Deborah Pyle
June 26, 2012
I am saddened at the news of Ann's passing. I didn't even know she was ill. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She will be missed by Riley and Chloe and by us. They never minded going to see Ann, she was like a day with their favorite Aunt. Hugs to Julie. I know you will feel a void because she has been by your side working for years. You were both a great team. We send our prayers and love your way.
Deb Pyle, Dennis Light, Riley and Chloe
Danita Lambert
June 26, 2012
So sad to hear of Ann's passing. She was a great lady and my little Stitch loved to be groomed by her. She was always such a sweet person to talk to and I always felt safe to leave Stitch with her.My prayers are with her family.
Debbie Simmons
June 26, 2012
So sorry to hear of Ann's passing. She was a very special person and was so good to me and my Sadie Girl. She will certainly be missed.
Darlene Rice French
June 25, 2012
Ann was my best friend in the second grade in Rich Creek Elementary School.That was many years ago and I tried to find her and the last location I had of her was in Tennessee somewhere that was many years ago. But I just wanted her family to know that even at a young age she made a lasting impression. I truly loved Ann and all that she stood for!!She always loved her animals.....!! I am so sorry for your loss and sorry that we never got back together again here on earth but one day we will meet again and hope you all will have enough memories to get you through until that day comes!!Thoughts and prayers coming your way.
"Darlene Rice French"
Rich Creek, Virginia
barry skeens
June 25, 2012
i was deeply saddened to see this. my prayers go out to your family , may god be with you during this loss.
Jo Ann France-Foster
June 25, 2012
Cotton, Peggy, Julie, Jenny and Tom,
I just found out about Ann going to Heaven and my heart is so saddened. There are no words at a time like this but know that God is great and he will be by your side even through this.
Ann was a one of these people who was put on this earth for a purpose and she walked the walk of life and leaves behind her foot prints for all of us to remember her by.
All of my love to each of you and know that she is up in Heaven with so many of her little furry friends rejoicing!
McCoy Family
June 23, 2012
Our lives are filled with memories that Ann and her family made so very special.She will be truly missed.
Karie Gibson
June 23, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss!! Ann always treated our "tosh.o" with such love and kindness! I was glad to be able to spend some time talking to her a few weeks ago. She will be forever missed!! We won't be able to make the memorial as we are out of town, but we will remember her and your family that day
June 22, 2012
So sorry to hear about Ann. I love Ann and her family so much. God will give you strength and will heal your heart. I feel so blessed that I got a chance to see her, but I am really going to miss sweet Ann. Love, Melissa Mcsherry
June 22, 2012
Tom, we are sorry to hear about your loss, we are thinking of you.
Joshua & Krisha Golla
Tina Spicuzza
June 22, 2012
So, so very sorry to hear about Ann. She never let on that she was even sick...always thinking of others and making them feel good, especially our pets. Julie,I know you will miss her terribly, so sorry for your loss. To Ann's husband and son, she spoke of you both often at The Dog House, she loved you both so much. Such good memories of her....
June 22, 2012
Tom, we are so sorry for your loss. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do.
Gordy & Linda Golla
Bob Mical
June 22, 2012
In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.
Annette Scott
June 22, 2012
I so wish their were words to offer that would comfort you just now. I will pray that God will hold you close and bring to your remembrance the many memories of Ann that bring joy to your heart. Cricket and I will miss her; it was a blessing to know her for the time we were given. She left sweet footprints.
June 21, 2012
Dear Julie,
We are so sorry to hear of Ann's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We always loved talking and laughing with her. We will miss her a lot, and Brandy will too. Love, John and Linda Owens
June 21, 2012
WE ARE SO SAD TO HEAR ABOUT ANN'S PASSING SHE GROOMED ARE TOBY UNTIL WE MOVED TO FLORIDA. WE WERE VERY SHOCKED AND SEND OUR SYMPATHY AND LOVE TO HER FAMILY. BLESSINGS SHARON AND GARY LAFFERTY
Peggy Long
June 21, 2012
I am so saddened at the loss of such a beautiful, loving and spirited woman. Ann was a blessing to all who came into her place of business. God has received another angel in His kingdom! Miia, Gena and I will miss her deeply. To Julie and the family - our hearts are sad and you are in our prayers. May you be comforted in knowing she is with Him.
Lisa Abshire
June 21, 2012
I was heart-broken to learn of Ann's passing. She was such a wonderful person and so very sweet to me and my fur-baby Abby. Abby adored Ann and loved to go see her. My thoughts and prayers are with Ann's family during this difficult time.
Beth Looney and Halle
June 21, 2012
I was so sad to learn of Ann's passing. My prayers are with her family during this difficult time of loss. Ann was a very kind person and the last time I saw her at the shop, she was giving my Halle hugs and kisses!
Kim Jones
June 21, 2012
Dear Julie we are so sorry for your loss. Ann was a very special lady. Everytime Angel and I came in the two of you were always laughing and singing and having a wonderful time with all our babies. You both have always taken wonderful care of our little girl Angel. All our love Tom,Kim and Angel Jones.
Dreama O'Quinn
June 21, 2012
Everyone loved Ann she was just that special person. We will all miss her and her family will be in our prayers. Sammy and Alex our little furry friends will miss her as well.
Dreama and Steve O'Quinn
Pete "Sparky" & Dana Kandis
June 21, 2012
Ann & Julie had such a wonderful way of making each customer feel special. It was so apparent of their love for animals by the way "Pickles" was always so excited to get there. You will be missed.
Tom Barnard
June 21, 2012
Cotton, so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. Prayers and Gods blessings going out to all of the family.
Christina Rudden
June 20, 2012
Tom and Turner,
Eric, Keegan and I are so sorry about Ann. We all loved her very much All our Love,
Eric, Christina + Keegan Rudden
Sharon and Cole Tice
June 20, 2012
Such a sweet life taken so soon. Ann will be missed dearly. Julie you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you!
Brandon & Jenny Golla
June 20, 2012
Tom, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that we are thinking of you.
June 20, 2012
Thinking and praying for you all! Ann took care of our Zoe, Talon and met Kona. Its been 12years she has been groomer our babys. We feel like she was apart of our family. We trusted her and she truly loved all of the animals. God bless you all. We will truly miss her and continue to pray for each of you. ....... Kris, Shannon, Emma Stinson
Kelsey Matt and Jody
June 20, 2012
Tom and Turner you are in our thoughts and prayers, we are so sorry for your loss. You guys know if you need anything we are just a call away.
JoElla John
June 20, 2012
Cotton and Julie and Ann's Family Members, I am so very sorry for your deep loss. May the friendships and love around you support and comfort you.
Debbie Mowatt
June 20, 2012
Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.
The Mowatt's
Joyce Wimmer
June 20, 2012
My deepest sympathies to Ann's family. Isabella and I will miss her so much! I trusted her with my Isabella like no one else and I admired her love and kindness to all animals. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time.
Mike Shepherd
June 20, 2012
All of us, that knew you, will miss you, and your smile!
Steve & Killer Solomon
June 20, 2012
A kind soul, we will surely miss Ann. We wish Julie and the rest of the family peace and comfort.
Ruth Vipperman
June 20, 2012
In loving memory of a very special lady. A star will glow brighter now that she's in heaven.
June 20, 2012
Our whole family loved ann, we will miss her. I am sure Charlie is playing with her in heaven
Love Bobby, Lisa and Lacey Strong
June 20, 2012
Our family will miss Ann so much! She was wonderful to all our fur babies..and to us!!!
Prayers to you all in this difficult time.
-The Mullins' family
Wilma Steele
June 20, 2012
Ann was one of the sweetest people I ever met. I will miss her sassy, honest attitude about life, her endearing desire to always be helpful and her devotion to animals. I loved her the moment I met her and recommended her to everyone I knew that had an animal. Ann you leave a hole in my heart I will try to fill with memories of you.
Wilma & Piper Steele
June 20, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Ann was special to us.
Sonny & Kathy Martin
June 20, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Ann was special to us.
Cindy Hicks
June 20, 2012
I can't tell you the deep sadness that I feel to hear of the loss of Ann. She was a wonderful person and truly loved the dogs she groomed and the people she met. She groomed my cockapoo and my mother's dogs for many years. She will be greatly missed not only for her expertise and love for grooming animals, but her laughter and her contageous smile! We love you Ann and our thoughts and prayers are with Julie, and the whole family!
Mike & Lynn Reid
June 20, 2012
Tom and Turner our thoughts and prayers are with you during the time. If we can do anything let us know.
The Kessler Family
June 20, 2012
I will miss Ann dearly! I met her after adopting a toy poodle. He was so tiny I wanted to interview the groomers before they could cut him. I knew I could trust Anne immediately! She had such a big heart! I won't ever forget when I wasn't well and had small children, she was willing to meet me and take Whit, for his hair cut and then bring him back on her way home. She has been a dear friend of our family! I will be praying for Tom and Turner as well as her extended family! May the Lord be with each of you.
Ann's Buddies :)
Alicia Reedy
June 20, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Ann's family. We met Ann about 7 years ago and were so happy to had found a groomer that we trusted and that took such good care of our "babies". She was SO sweet to my boys and they loved her as much as we did. We always looked forward to picking them up and seeing the mohawks that she loved giving them :). We hope your family finds strength and comfort in the wonderful memories you have.
~Chris, Alicia, Max, Riley, & Biggie Reedy
Albert & Wilkins Family
June 20, 2012
Sending prayers of peace and comfort as you walk this path. May you feel God's presence, His grace, and His assurance of eternal life through His son Jesus.
Lester and Terri West
June 20, 2012
Prayers for peace and comfort going out to you all.
Joe and Rita Bishop
June 20, 2012
Our love and sympathy goes to all of
Ann's family. She was a very special person to our family, especially Oscar and Jozie. We will miss her smile and friendly acceptance of everyone who entered the "Doghouse".
June 20, 2012
Tom we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. If you need anything please let us know. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Kat and Nathan St Clair
Kathy Wade
June 20, 2012
Ann's Family,
My heart is sadden with Ann's passing. I loved her free spirit and spunk...I considered her a "real person" not fake...she was the same no matter who she was talking to.
I was blessed to meet Ann when she started grooming AAApups and thought of her as our extended family.
We loved you Ann and will miss you!
Kathy, Mike (Daddy) & AAApups
Fay McDaniel
June 20, 2012
Our hearts are so sad at Ann's passing. Gracie loved her so much and Ann had groomed her twice a month for the last 6 years. Gracie knew her vehicle and would get so excited when Ann pulled into the Dog House and run TO her...many dogs run away from their groomers. We will be at the memorial service to honor her and all she meant to others. A big hug to Julie! We love you too.
Claudia & Tiki Ramsey
June 20, 2012
"The body dies, but the love lives on. Love is everlasting." I wish your family comfort & peace during this difficult time.
Vicki Eubank
June 20, 2012
Dear Cotton, Julie, Jenny, and family, Our deepest sympathies to all of you in this tragic loss of Ann. Please know that you will be in our hearts with thoughts and prayers for each of you. Sincerely, Vicki & Jim Eubank
Cinae' Morgan
June 20, 2012
So hard to express the level of sorrow at Ann's passing. She was a wonderful woman, and gave more to this world than she ever took. My family, including "Dozer", or "Doe-Doe" as she called him, will truly miss her! I pray she is at peace, and that God will comfort her family at this time.
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