Griffin Family

Kinda last minute, we decided to have a getaway (for our October anniversary) and just because we can! Andy found a reasonably priced cruise going out of New Orleans, and I found inexpensive round-trip tickets out of St George, so we just said - Let's do this! We flew into New Orleans on Saturday. We took a taxi to our hotel, the Embassy Suites. When we arrived, there were officers blocking the streets.  We wondered if there was something sinister going on...but no!  It was in preparation for the white linen festival. An annual art show. And our hotel was right on the edge of it!  Saturday, we walked around downtown (it was really hot and humid!) and then ordered room service and had a New Orleans dish - with beans and some beignets.   When evening arrived we went down to the festival and walked around and enjoyed the noise and commotion of the city. There was lots of drinking and dancing and happiness out there!  The party ended fairly early but all night ...

 Tuesday, July 15, we gathered to honor my father. We had a really good gathering. Many of his ward members and dance people attended. In addition, we had us (Becky, Ruth & I), our spouses, our kids and our grandkids. A zoom link was shared so there were some people that were able to attend remotely as well.  It was a warm sunny day and everything went really well.  Life Sketch for Raymond George Laurito Delivered by Shelly Griffin, Rebecca Chase & Ruth Laurito Good morning everyone, Thank you for being here today to honor the life of our father, Raymond George Laurito—a man of quiet strength, humble intellect, and unwavering kindness. I am Shelly Griffin, Ray’s oldest daughter, and my sisters and I are going to share a glimpse of dad's life and some of our fondest memories..  Early Life (Shelly) Dad was born on July 23, 1938, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. His parents, Nick and Helen, were Italian immigrants who could never have imagined the skilled engine...

Dad's stay at the care center ended up being 35 days. He had a care giver that really connected with him named Michael. Michael cared for him when he was living at home and then came out a couple of times to the care center before he died. He really appreciated those visits and lit up when Michael came to visit and help care for him. I'm thankful that I was able to see him the two weekends about two weeks before he died. He was still able to smile and sit and eat at that time. I'm so glad that Ruth and Becky were able to take the time and spend quite a bit of time with him the last couple of weeks before he died. His condition continued to deteriorate and it was not easy to see him that way and spend so much time there. But my sisters and Suzanne did what they could to make him comfortable at the end.  He was found dead in his bed on the morning of July 10. Rest in peace, Dad. I love you!