BENTON HARBOR - Elsie's life began March 19, 1925, in Berrien Springs. Her parents were John and Veronica (Hudak) Zandarski. Elsie spent her childhood growing up in Berrien Springs. She attended Hinchman Elementary School and St. Joseph High School.

In 1950, while working at Bob's Snappy Service, Elsie met James Griffith, whom she married Nov. 19, 1954, in Buchanan. Elsie loved growing peonies taking pictures, cooking for her family and daily devotions. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She was a member of VFW Auxiliary of Benton Harbor Post 1137.

Her greatest love came in caring for her family, which includes her husband, James Arthur Griffith Sr., whom she was married to for 54 years; six children, James (Deborah) Griffith Jr., Jeffery (Ramona) Griffith, John (Suzanne) Griffith, Joseph (Cheryl) Griffith, Julie Ann (George) Smith, Jerry Griffith (Donetta Crawford); 11 grandchildren, Tyler, Garrett, Kristina and Kelsey Griffith, Tyraah (Shane), and Terry (Leah) Tucker, Alex and Amanda Kowerduck, Terrance Wakefield, Joseph Templeton and Sara (Mark) Coble; two great-grandchildren, Austin and Mason; three brothers, Vincent (Eleanor) Zandarski, Julius (Margo) Zandarski, and Richard (Edna) Zandarski; a sister Stella Adent; a brother-in-law Harold Backus; many nieces and nephews; and several friends including Mary Lou Reed.

Elsie died Sunday, May 24, 2009, at home. Her parents, three brothers, Alex, John and Stephen Zandarski, three sisters, Anna Rice, Ruth Toney and Nancy Backus, and a great-grandson, Jordan Vawter preceded Elsie in death.

Friends may visit with Elsie's family Thursday, May 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home, where Father Bill Jacobs will celebrate Elsie's life at 6 p.m. Memorials may be made in Elsie's memory to Hospice at Home

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Contributor: Susan Eberz Emery (47421841)