Reta Kaye Griffin

Reta Kaye Griffin was born Reta Kaye Ream on November 16th 1945 in Pasadena, Ca. to Byron D. and Emma G. Ream who preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter Amy M. Doerfler, (husband Michael L. Doerfler), and grandchildren Jacob M. Doerfler and Ashley N. Doerfler. She lived a majority of her childhood in Salem, Or. with some time spent in Iowa. As a child she had a vivid imagination and would sit in trees reading and pretending to be the storybook characters she read about, and played with creatures like snakes that her mother would find in her pockets. As a teen she was the main support for her family and worked at the Elsinore Theater and Big Eddy's. In her 20's she traveled across the United States to Massachusetts where she met John B. Griffin and married in 1968. John had 2 daughters from a previous marriage Nadine and Debbie. In 1973 Reta gave birth to her only daughter Amy. In 1975, because of uncontrollable circumstances she and Amy moved back to Oregon. There she received an associate's degree in drafting and used her incredible artistic gift to create manufacturing plans. In 1988 she changed careers and became a telephone operator for Pacific Northwest Bell, which is now known as Century Link. She was ecstatic when her grandchildren Jacob and Ashley were born in 2000 and 2001 respectively and loved them deeply. She held on to her artistic gift throughout her life and created beautiful works of art that she shared with everyone. Her capacity to love, creativity, and excitement for life will be missed by everyone who knew her. Services will be held Monday August 24th with a reception to follow at 4:00 p.m. at Keizer Clear Lake United Methodist Church 7920 Wheatland RD N.E. Keizer, Or