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Longtime Amagansett native Caroline Abrams Griffiths died on February 18, 2018, at her daughter’s home in Bridgehampton with her family and long-time caretaker, Eunice “Nicey” Nunus, and friend Nancy Jones, by her side. She was 91, and left a wealth of lessons and memories for her family and friends to enjoy, survivors said.
Born on April 24, 1926, at the King family homestead on Old Montauk Highway in Amagansett, she was the daughter of Abner Morton King and Amagansett matriarch Marietta “Mary Mort” Abrams. She was last of 13 children that included Egbert King, Alfred King, Abner King, Virgil King, Dorothy Ammon, Marietta Conklin, Hugh King, Harold King, Sarah Wethy, Eva Lester, Isadora King and Frances King.
She married James E. Griffiths of Babylon and Amagansett on October 22, 1944. Together, they raised six sons and one daughter at their home on Old Montauk Highway in Amagansett. She was that matriarch of the Griffiths family who could cook boiled cake or shift a manual vehicle better than anyone you may know. Although she stood at only 5 ft. 3 in., her strength and resiliency were readily apparent. She successfully raised seven children: Everett Griffiths of Sweden, Lyle Griffiths of East Hampton, John Griffiths of East Hampton, Clark Griffiths of East Hampton, Caroline Kalish of Bridgehampton, Kerry Griffiths of East Hampton and Tracy Griffiths of East Hampton.
On September 27, 1976, her husband died of a heart attack at the age of 50. After his death, she took a job as a chambermaid at the Sea Crest Hotel in Amagansett to support herself and her youngest son. Over the years, the family was expanded to include nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as “Granny Griff.” By year 1992, she met her longtime boyfriend, Edward Welles. They were happily together until his death on March 27, 2007.
Mrs. Griffiths is survived by her seven children; nine grandchildren, Scott Griffiths, Belinda Griffiths-Daige, Emily Hernandez, Mandy Frazier, Molly Davis, Jillian Griffiths, Jocelin Kalish, James Griffiths and Drew Griffiths; and eight great-grandchildren Haley Hernandez, Robert James Hernandez, Tyler Van Slyke, Amiya Bennett, Emma Davis, Natalie Davis, Christopher Davis and Bella Griffiths.
Visitation was held on February 20, 2018 at Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton. A graveside service was held on February 21 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Amagansett.
Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978-7018, or a charity of your choice.
on Apr 30, 2018