Obituary of Karen Joyce (Breda) Griffin

Karen Joyce (Breda) Griffin-Retired RN, Mass General Hospital Of Londonderry, NH, was called home by the Lord on December 16, 2021. Karen leaves a huge void in the lives of all who knew and loved her. She was a light in times of darkness and source of strength during sorrow. She was the high tide that lifted all boats. Karen was the daughter of Mary and Joseph Breda. She was the beloved wife of James Griffin for nearly 50 years, and a devoted mother to her daughters, Jessica and Autumn Joy, and son-in-law Christopher. She was the adored "Grammy" to Lily Anne and Violet Grace. Karen is also survived by her brother Wayne Breda and his wife Gloria; brother Byron Breda and his wife Susan; brother-in-law Lon Griffin and his wife Marianne; brother-in-law John Sperlinga; and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Karen earned a bachelor's degree in education from Northeastern University. She subsequently attended Columbia University School of Medicine/Nursing, where she earned a master's degree with a major in Chemistry. Karen practiced as an RN for nearly 50 years and recently retired from the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, a job she loved. She was the personification of an ICU nurse: intense and caring. Karen valued relationships above all else. Family was the center of Karen's life, including her MGH "family." Cards and letters were written not just as an expression of caring but as a means of watering and nurturing those relationships. In the words of Bill Parcells, "You are what your record says you are." And Karen's record needs to be celebrated by those of us who remain, that we may begin the work of healing to help fill the void of her loss. The Celebration of Karen's Life will be held at the Trinity Church of Boston, 206 Clarendon St., Boston, MA on Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen's memory may be made to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Massachusetts General, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114 in support of programs and initiatives close to Karen's heart.