Marilyn Joanne Griffin, 86

Marilyn Joanne Griffin, 86, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2022.

A celebration of life will take place on the lake in Hope, Idaho, on Friday, July 22, 2022. Please share a meal and memories at the Floating Restaurant in Hope the same day. Those who knew and loved Marilyn are welcome to attend.

In lieu of gifts and flowers please make donations to: The Alzheimer's Association (alzwa.org).

Marilyn was born July 6, 1935, in Rockford, Illinois, to Gust Swanson and Vendla Sifgren, the sixth of seven children in a warm and loving family.

Marilyn went to Wheaton College, where she earned a bachelor's degree and teaching credential. Marilyn taught in Stillman Valley for two years, then moved to California. There she met her beloved “Hal,” the late Harold Griffin. They fell deeply in love and married July 1, 1960. While teaching in California, Marilyn returned to college, earned a master's degree, and spent the last several years of her teaching career as a high school counselor. Her deep faith in God and value of education were evident in her daily life.

During Hal’s military service in the 1940s, he had become enamored with Sandpoint, having visited on leave during duty. He never forgot the beautiful town and spoke fondly of it to Marilyn often. Marilyn and Hal spent every break or vacation of their early married life camping, boating, and hunting in the Sandpoint area.

In fall of 1970, during a hunting trip, they purchased a little piece of land in Hope and began dreaming of their future there. In the mid 1970s, they moved to the area, first living in Hope from 1977 to 1996, and then Sagle from 1996 to 2018. North Idaho was their home for over 40 years and they loved it fiercely.

As a resident of Hope, Marilyn immersed herself in the community. She worked at the Floating Restaurant in Hope, then at Henry’s, the local bar Hal owned in Sandpoint on the bridge. Arlene, Marilyns sister who had retired from teaching in Illinois, joined them by moving to Sandpoint in the mid-1980s.

It wasn’t long before the two women decided to try their hand at a retail store. They opened the Scandinavian Afar, first on the bridge and later moving into a permanent location at 319 N. First Ave. in downtown Sandpoint. The shop was Marilyn’s passion, she loved selling beautiful treasures that reflected her Scandinavian heritage. She also appreciated the opportunity the store provided to connect intimately with both neighbors and tourists alike. She was never too busy to chat with a customer, always lending a sympathetic ear. She ran and worked the shop, serving her community, for over 30 years, until the age of 83. In 2018, Marilyn retired and moved to be near family with her granddaughter Kapri, in Southern California where she remained until her passing.

Anyone who met Marilyn was blessed by her. She was kind, thoughtful, and gracious. Her compassion and caring attitude toward others were visibly seen in everything she did. She understood the difference between making a living and making a life, always making time for the things that really mattered. She was a friend and mentor to many. She cared for her husband, Hal, and was by his side to his last breath. When her sister Arlene resided in Life Care, Marilyn spent years going three or more nights a week to share dinner with her, play endless games of scrabble and on weekends took Arlene out for long drives that inevitably ended in burgers and milkshakes. Marilyn’s undying loyalty was something beautiful to behold.

Even in Marilyn’s final few years, when dementia had taken its toll, she remained the most gracious woman you could ever hope to know. Kind, patient, and playful to the end. Her example of a life well lived and a spirit of grace will never be forgotten. We miss her deeply and hope to honor her by trying to follow her example of being present in the moment, showing up for what matters, and having fun in the process.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her mother and father, Gust and Vendla Swanson; sibilings Gertrude Hesselgrave, Melvin Swanson, Roger (Nancy) Swanson, Arlene Swanson, Katherine Swanson, and Richie Swanson; and son, Larry Griffin. She is survived by her step-daughter, Vikki(Doug) Henkes; step-granddaughters, Kapri Griffin, Kristy Antonello, and Dawn Henkes; and her step-great-grandchildren, Dustin Nalwalker, Drake Magadanz, Paris Antonello, Kennedy Sherman, Christian Henkes, and Johnny Henkes; and step-great-great-grandchildren, Llandel Nalwalker and Emmory Magadanz; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Please visit Marilyns online memorial at obituaries.tridentsociety.com/obituaries/laguna-woods-ca/marilyn-griffin-10811730.