Barbara Marie Griffin
September 07, 1951 — April 16, 2024
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Service Details
Barbara “Barb” Marie Cunningham Griffin passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer on April 16, 2024.
Barb was born September 7, 1951, to parents Veronica Ann and William Ray Cunningham. She grew up on a farm near Cumming, Iowa and had a wonderful childhood. She lived most of her life in central Iowa. Barbara attended Martensdale St. Mary’s Community School for 9 years before going to St. Joseph’s Academy for high school. She graduated in the St. Joseph’s Academy class of 1969. Barb attended Iowa State University and The University of Illinois, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor's degree in Math and Computer Science. Barb met Gary Griffin at Iowa State and they married in 1972.
Between 1973 and 1979 Barb worked as a computer programmer analyst and supervisor. Barb and Gary started a family in 1978 and she stayed home to raise three daughters: Kelly, Nicole and Kristin. Barb resumed her IT career in 1988 and worked until 2008 as a systems analyst. Her longest tenure was with Pioneer Hybrid. Barb also enjoyed working with kids as a para educator in the West Des Moines community schools. Over the years, family came first, especially with her husband, Gary Griffin for 52 years. Barb and Gary celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2022 in Wisconsin with their 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, and their 8 grandchildren.
Barb enjoyed gardening, reading, shopping for a deal, biking, water aerobics, traveling, and riding with Gary on the back of his Harley. Barb was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines.
Barb is survived by her husband, Gary Griffin; daughters: Kelly (Tracy) Stewart, Nicole (Brian) Lunders, and Kristin (Joe) Larson; grandchildren: Veronica Stewart, Felix Stewart, William Lunders, Zachary Lunders, Maxwell Lunders, Drake Larson, Abby Larson and Maggie Larson; her siblings: Arthur (Ladoska) Cunningham, John (Sheri) Cunningham, Ann Cunningham and Teresa (Clint) Hansen; and her nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa and the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa. The service will be livestreamed at St. Theresa's Facebook page. click here.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines and condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Karen and Wayne
05/01/2024
Karen and I are saddened to hear about Barb's passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. Barb was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. We have so many fond memories of Barb. She will always hold a special place in our hearts. Wishing you strength and peace Gary in the days ahead......With all our love, your sister Karen and Wayne.
Gary
04/27/2024
I am always telling people I first met Barb on the streets of Ames, and I married the farmer’s daughter. These both are true. I have a picture of that first meeting moment in my mind and hope I never lose it.
I have never considered myself a lucky person but looking back, I see four instances of me being one of the luckiest men in the world.
1) First, that chance meeting on the streets at Iowa State University.
2) Second, she agreed to our first date, which was a movie and pizza.
3) Third, she said YES to marry me.
4) Fourth, she transferred to a different college for her senior year so we could be together.
We started our life together living in Des Plaines Illinois, Barb completed her senior year at the University of Illinois circle campus earning a double major, bachelor’s degree in math and computer science. I worked part time and completed my bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering.
Apon both our graduations we took jobs in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Barb at Allstate and me at Motorola. After a short time, we both longed for a less crowded environment and got jobs in the Des Moines area of Iowa, Barb with Pioneer and me with Honeywell. We bought our first house in Windsor Heights and started our family.
Barb and I are blessed with three wonderful daughters Kelly, Nicole, and Kristin. When our family started to grow Barb took a break in her career to be an "at home mom" until they were all of school age. After that we both worked and relied on Grandma and Grandpa C to help care when a child got sick.
When our daughters grew up, we were again blessed three times when each married. We are proud to have each son-in-law, Tracy, Brian, and Joe in the family.
We were blessed an additional eight times with grandchildren, 4 girls and 4 boys who have helped keep our lives filled love and excitement. All I can say is: “Is this Heaven? No, it’s Iowa."
This family of 16 souls continued the tradition of always gathering for holidays and birthdays. Two years ago, all sixteen of us gathered in Milwaukee to help celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.
Last year during Barb’s annual wellness exam it was discovered that her blood counts were extremely low. An initial trip to the hospital started the search, with help from Mission Cancer & Blood in Iowa and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, for answers that led to the diagnosis of AML, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a bone marrow and blood disease. I learned that in a CBC, Complete Blood Count, there are a lot of types of cells that your body makes. The battle against this cancer started last August 2023 and continued into this April 2024. How she was able to fight for so long amazes me when I think how much the human body relies on its blood.
I have lost so very much, my whole world, in Barb’s passing, but knowing she is no longer in pain and suffering I could not have asked her to spend any more time here on earth.
Barbara, when ever asked "How are you?", she would always say “OK”. Then during her last day when our daughter, Kelly, ask her this question and Barb replied “Wonderful”, that I knew she was in touch with God.
My Grandpa Haberman, Papa Frank, would often mention “what a wonderful, wonderful wife Grandma Haberman was. This is the same feeling that I have for my wife, Barbara, aka Grandma G.
Now we here on earth are left to continue without her. She was my wife, the love of my life, and my best friend.
At this time, if you ask me, "How are you?" These three thoughts come to mind:
It hurts when you have someone in your heart, but you can’t have them in your arms.
There is such a deep silence that takes over your soul when your spouse dies.
Lonely…..
Is not a strong enough word.
BARB, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS
God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be.
So, he put his arms around you and whispered " Come with Me."
With tearful eyes We watched you suffer and saw you fade away.
Although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay,
A golden heart stopped beating. Hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove He only takes the BEST.
It's lonesome here without you. We miss you more each day.
Life doesn't seem the same Since you've gone away.
When days are sad and lonely, and everything goes wrong.
We seem to hear you whisper CHEER UP & CARRY ON."
Love Gary
Mike & Donna
04/24/2024
So sorry for your loss. Mike grew up down the road from Barb and remembers many good things about Barb.
Rosie Stark
04/19/2024
Kelly, Kristen, Nicki and Gary: I mourn the loss of your Mother, Wife and my friend. I am thankful she is free of her earthly chains and is now whole and in peace. She was a force to be reckoned with to be sure but she had a kind and caring heart. Treasure your fondest memories of her as will I.
Gloria Barnes
04/18/2024
So sorry Barb passed ,away too soon.
She loved her big family. She had a garden in the backyard & loved her flowers & prized tomatoes.
I live 2000 miles away, so hadn't visited in about 3 years.
I was surprised to not hear from her at Christmas in 2023. She didn't let me know she was ill. Condolences to the family. Goodbye, Cousin.
Aunt Dar and Uncle Bob
04/18/2024
To my nieces Kelly, Nicki and Krissy,
You each have always held a special place in my heart, today even more so. Losing a Mom is one of the most difficult times in our lives. Many years ago, when my Mom - your Grandma - passed, someone shared a verse with me that brought some measure of comfort. I'm sharing excerpts of that with you now in hopes these words do the same for you.
"Your mother's love will live on...In the stories she told you...In the laughter and strength she gave you....In the tenderness and loved she shared"
Your Mom will always be remembered. She was a beautiful person who loved each of you with all her heart. Know too, you are still and always will be surrounded with family love.
Love, Aunt Dar and Uncle Bob
Dar and Bob
04/18/2024
To my dear brother Gary,
I wish I had words to ease your heartache at this moment. Losing Barb as your wife, and our 'sister', of over 50 years, leaves a gaping hole in all of our worlds. Barb had a wonderful life - a great career, many hobbies and interests, however, all that paled in comparison to her love of family. You, her children and grandchildren (and our big extended family) were always her #1 priority. She often shared how you were the love of her life, the greatest husband ever! Barb will always be missed...she will always be with us in our hearts. Remember too, you are surrounded with love, today and always.
With love, your sister Dar and Bob
Pam McMahon
04/17/2024
Gary and family; I’m so sorry for loss
I met Barb at Water Aerobic at 7’flags. We soon developed a friendship that involved our significant others. Pie night we enjoyed at Village Inn. Barb was quite the coupon collector. If you needed a coupon, you could count on Barb to have it She loved her family especially those grandkids.