Melba Trott Griffin, born in Framingham, Massachusetts on June 3, 1927, completed her journey and passed away at home with hospice care on March 21, 2025. She leaves her daughters, Cynthia Griffin Gluth (James) and Martha Griffin (Jerry) both of Granby, four grandchildren, Kate Griffin Netupski (Scott) of Plainville, Charles Fleming Griffin III (Mary Beth) of East Hartland, Daniel J. Conley of Granby and Leighton C. Murphy (Brian) of North Granby. She also leaves five great-grandchildren, Bree Anne Kegel, Justin Kegel, Ava C. Murphy, Camden A. Murphy and Lucas J. Murphy and a great-great-grandson, Mason A. Rooney. Melba was predeceased in 2014 by her husband of 65 years, Fred Fleming Griffin and her son, Charles Fleming Griffin in 2017.
Melba attended UMASS at Amherst where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. While at Amherst she met future husband Fred Fleming Griffin and married in April 1949 at the Martha Mary Chapel in Sudbury, Massachusetts. With her new degree and love of literature and research, Melba worked at the Hartford Public Library. At that same time her children have fond memories of attending story hour and volunteering with mom at The Frederick H. Cossitt Library, a North Granby treasure. Melba later earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Rhode Island and worked as the Head Librarian at The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury.
Fred’s employment with United Technologies took them to Kongsberg, Norway in 1977. During that time they traveled extensively throughout Europe and Scandinavia. Favorite memories of their travel include the Paris Air Show, viewing the original Kon Tiki, and visiting over thirty countries. Their travels continued with assignments in Canada and California. Wherever they settled, Melba took every opportunity to learn and to help. She took computer classes and volunteered in communities both foreign and domestic. Once settled back in Granby, Melba volunteered at The Salmon Brook Historical Society, in the library at the New England Air Museum, and she was active with the Granby Civic Club.
Melba’s many activities and interests as well as her daily outdoor walks gave her a keen mind and a strong constitution. Melba will be remembered for her insatiable thirst for knowledge, her understated kindness, her ability to forgive, her devotion to her family and for her sparkling spirit. She passed these innumerable assets on to her entire family, entertaining her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great-great grandchildren through books, music, art and stories. Melba will be missed by many, but most especially, her family.
A private service will be held at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation may be made to the Salmon Brook Historical Society, P.O. Box 840, Granby, CT 06035. Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home has care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.