Editors Notebook: Remembering Donna Griffith

As the editor of the Westminster Patch I don't typically insert myself or my opinion into the content on the site, but I'm taking some editorial liberty today as I honor my mom on the anniversary of her passing.

At her core, Donna Griffith was a teacher in every way. She was a teacher to the four children she raised, and I appreciate that every day as I navigate the woes of parenting my own children. Everything for us was a learning experience, she was not one to offer the solutions to all problems or tell us how to do it her way. My siblings and I were taught independence and individual thinking from the get-go and although it wasn't always easy, I believe it has served us well.

But what Donna Griffith was truly passionate about, what motivated her and compelled her every day, were the kids she reached through her classroom. For 28 years that classroom was at West Middle School where she impacted thousands of sixth graders. She only retired because cancer forced her to. She taught social studies and I still have former students tell me about her unique teaching style. She would transform her classroom into the Nile River and play Bryan Adams while teaching about Canada. Students sat in their caves (under their desks) to create their own hieroglyphics and she took every opportunity to get her students outside of the classroom.

Donna Griffith was also passionate about environmental issues and she seemed to be most comfortable outdoors whether it was working as a naturalist over the summers at Camp Hashawha or teaching students in the gifted and talented Living with the Land program.

She was most at peace at Camp Hashawha, where she enjoyed a connection to nature and also made many good friends. When she passed, her husband Jeff Griffith started a fund to benefit Outdoor School students and to build a garden of some sort to commemorate Donna Griffith's life.

And with the funds raised, the crew at Camp Hashawha created an amazing water feature garden with two pools and a small waterfall, as well as a sitting area surrounded by all native plants. If you haven't visited Camp Hashawha lately, take the time this fall to enjoy the beautiful Donna Garden.

A decade after surviving breast cancer my mom was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She was 53. Her prognosis was not good. She fought hard and lived, and I mean she lived hard, for another three years. She spent those years traveling, loving her grandbabies, hosting holidays, eating all the things they said she would never be able to eat with most of her stomach gone, and laughing.

And not surprisingly, she spent those three years teaching me most of what I know about strength and courage and dignity. I love you mom.