Elinor A Griffen

July 26, 1926 - November 23, 2019

GRIFFEN, Elinor A. Rhines, age 93, of Wethersfield, wife of the late Alfred D. Griffen, died on November 23, 2019. Born in Hartford on July 26, 1926, with her twin sister Millie, to Amy Little Belanger and Theodore Belanger. She grew up in Rocky Hill and graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1944 when “All the boys were at war.” Ellie held clerical positions at Wethersfield High School and St. Joseph College, retiring at age 58 to care for her mother. She was a founding member and communicant of the new St. James Church in Rocky Hill (early 1960s), participated in the Junior Women’s Club and volunteered at the R.H. Veterans Home, leading Bingo games for the veterans, for which she received an award for volunteerism. She assisted Grace Cole and Anita Watson in Girl Scout meetings and camping trips. Ellie loved animals, especially dogs and enjoyed baking and entertaining. Her priority in life was taking care of her family. Ellie and Al enjoyed their time in Sarasota, FL and Danby, VT. She was a wonderful mother to Deborah Rhines Durgin (Lee) of Wethersfield, and John Foster Rhines (BethAnn) of Vermont. She leaves her twin sister, Mildred E. Rhines, nephew, Christopher Rhines of Wethersfield, her sister-in-law Alice Lorraine Belanger of Florida, niece and nephews, her step-children Alfred “A.J.” Griffen (Mary and son Michael), Terri Griffen Smith (Ida and son Christopher) and Polly Bothfeld Lindsay (Guy). She was grandmother to Jeffrey, John and Roy Rhines, Robert Durgin (Audrey Alltop-Durgin) and Steven Durgin (Olivia Tabiendo Durgin). Great grandchildren: Claire, Zachary and William Rhines and first cousin Erna Joannie Bragdon. She also leaves her life long friend, Lois Gallup McOmber of Wethersfield. She was pre-deceased by her first husband, John D. Rhines in 1972, her daughter, Marlene Ada Rhines Shaner in 1989, her brother-in-law Milford F. Rhines in 1999, her husband, Alfred D. Griffen in 2013, her brother, Theodore Belanger in 2009, and her nephew Thomas Rhines in April 2019. The family would like to thank the staff at Maple View Manor in Rocky Hill where Ellie resided the last two years. Arrangements: A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2019 at Rose Hill Funeral Home, 580 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, with Steven R. Durgin officiating. Memorial donations can be made to: Conn. Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 0611.