Penney Griffith

Our beloved mother, Penney Louise Smith Griffith, 73, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 25, 2016 in Provo.
Penney was born September 16, 1942 in Los Angeles, CA and was the second of four daughters born to Harold David and Helen Smith. Penney grew up in Corona Del Mar and Newport Beach, California and loved the smell of the ocean and the sand in her toes. At the tender age of six, Penney contracted polio. She survived this devastating disease and spent many years during her childhood in and out of the hospital, for extended lengths of time due to multiple experimental surgeries and therapies (including the iron lung). She formed many friendships during her hospital stay and was a light to patients and staff alike. She always had a smile on her face!
Penney's life is a collection of miracles! Her unfailing faith and optimism under great adversity and pain was apparent to all around her at a very young age. Because the prospect of death became a reality to her as a child, the gift of life was a blessing she always cherished and so she lived it fully and with joy and faith until the very end.
Despite the crippling effects of polio, Penney lived twice as long as was predicted by doctors and went on to marry and have a family of her own. She was sealed to James Harvey Griffith on March 30, 1967 in the Salt LDS Temple. Together they had four beautiful daughters who were the light of her life. She cherished her role as a mother and was grateful that she was given the gift to bear children.
Penney graduated from Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, CA on June 15, 1960. She attended Brigham Young University and received her Associates Degree on May 29, 1964. She made wonderful memories and life-long friendships as a young BYU student.
Penney was a true disciple of Jesus Christ and valiantly strived to be like Him! She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in the Primary, Young Women's Program, Relief Society, and was also a Stake Missionary.
Penney was a poet and song-writer and wrote many songs for her family and friends which they sang together throughout the years. She loved gardening and knitting and gave away many of the beautiful afghans that she lovingly made. Her daughters remember her always eagerly serving those in need whether it was preparing a meal or sending a thoughtful letter.
After retiring from her career in property management administration, she served in her community as a Senior Companion and enjoyed the opportunity to help those in the latter stages of life. She received an award for her service in this area.
Penney is survived by her 100 year old mother, Helen Mary GoulAC., Orem; her four daughters; Angie (Lavoy) Shepherd Veyo, UT; Wendy (Mark) Hullinger, SLC; Jennifer Baldwin, Springville; and Jamie Griffith, Rexburg, ID; her three sisters; Linda (Milo) Muhlestein, Springville; Pat Reckling, Provo; and Merialice (Randall) Stoddard, Orem; 10 granddaughters, and 7 great- grandchildren, and her beloved aunt, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father.
She will be missed deeply by many. However, her legacy of faith and courage will forever live on in our hearts.
As a family, we are deeply grateful to the sweet, loving care she received from the staff and nurses at the Lakeridge Senior Assisted Living in Orem.
Funeral. Services will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 11 am at North Park 1st Ward, 101 W. 800 N. Provo, with a 10 am viewing at the same location.
Interment at Park City Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com