Annie J. Griffiths' Obituary
Annie J. Griffiths was born on February 18, 1929 in Rainier, OR. to John & Mary Duchon Duris, Czechoslovakian immigrants.
She died on December 20, 2009 at a St. Helens nursing home at the age of 80.
Annie was the youngest of three children, her oldest brother had to remain in Czechoslovakia while she and her second oldest brother Miller, were raised on the family farm in Rainier. At that time her father worked at the plywood plant in Linnton and traveled home on weekends.
She was educated in Rainier, she learned to speak English in school. At the age of 14 her family moved to the McNulty area and she spent her sophomore year in school at Scappoose. Her junior year she went to school in St. Helens, but because of all the changes she quit shortly thereafter.
She wed Mark Hegele, Jr. the couple had three children. With her kids in tow, she picked fruits and vegetables, and pine cones for reforestation. Once the children began school, she worked in the original bag factory, at the box factory, and at the rose garden. When Crown Zellerbach built the new bag factory, which eventually became Boise Cascade, she was eager to get a job there, retiring after 27 years.
In 1967 she married Chester Griffiths. Together they studied for and both obtained their GED's.
Her oldest brother came to the United States in 1973 for his first and only visit to meet his family. In 1982 she and her husband Chet traveled to Czechoslovakia. They had a great time visiting nieces and nephews for the first time, but also had a few harrowing experiences. The couple was escorted off the train by machine gun armed military guards because they boarded before being properly released. Her ability to speak the language was a great help for them.
After that trip she kept her feet firmly planted right here in the U.S., traveling mainly in Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada, especially Reno.
An avid outdoors woman, she enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, fishing and clamming. She also liked playing Bingo.
Survivors include: Children: Leonard Hegele of St. Helens; Joan Powell of Castle Rock, WA.; Donna John Bucar of Warren; step-children: Gary Griffiths of Republic, WA.; Rebecca Carl Gonzales of Thornton, CO.; Brother: Miller Sally Duris of Hillsboro, OR. 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 5 nieces.
Viewing & Visitation 2-5 Sunday at Columbia Funeral Home
Funeral Mass: Monday, 12/28/09 at 11:00 AM at St. Frederic Catholic Church.
Committal service & vault interment: Columbia Memorial Gardens Cemetery-Scappoose.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia County Fire Medics
on-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.columbiafh.com
Columbia Funeral Home-Directors
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