Mrs. Genevieve (Raclaw) Griffin Keel, daughter of the late Joseph and Antoinette (Szymanski) Raclaw, was born January 8, 1921 in Izbica, Poznan, Poland. Her family immigrated into the United States and resided on the South-east side of Chicago, IL. She graduated from Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic School, Chicago, and attended some years of college study at Mundelein College (now Loyola University), Chicago. She was a member of Mu Sigma Upsilon.
Genevieve was a Receptionist for Visking Corporation, Chicago, when she met, on the golf course, Jimmy Griffin, an Accountant at Visking Corporation. They were united in holy matrimony in September, 1946, and blessed with two children; James F. Griffin III and Paula Jean Griffin (Anderson).
As a result of her generous spirit and effervescent personality, she was a volunteer that served on the Boards of The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago(Chicago Rehab), The Misericord (The Heart of Mercy), active member of Opus Dei and her parish churches: Immaculate Conception, Highland Park; St. Mary's Catholic Church, Lake Forest, Saints Faith, Hope, and Charity, Winnetka, St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach, FL, and St. James Cathedral, Orlando, FL. Being attentive of her children's school activities(Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest, and Loyola Academy, Wilmette), she was a Brownie, Cub Scout, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Leader and an advide leader of fund raisers and charitable events. She gave of her time freely and often. Genevieve was an advide Golfer and Curler at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.
Genevieve and her husband, Jim, moved to Orlando in 1989; after Jim's death, she was fortunate to fall in love and marry another wonderful man; a true "southern gentleman", Walker Keel. Genevieve was a compassionate and fun-loving person that was forever giving! In her "quiet" time Genevieve loved to garden, be in the sun; she loved music and to dance; and she knew how fortunate she was to have traveled the world!
Genevieve passed in peace, in her sleep. She is proceeded in death by her husbands James F. Griffin, Jr. and J. Walker Keel; son, James F. Griffin III, and daughter, Elizabeth (Keel) Wolf; brother, Stanley Raclaw; and sisters Sophie (Karwatka), Frieda (Karson), and Evelyn (Broze). Her spirit, class, and love of life will forever be cherished by a host of nieces and nephews and friends.
She was a super-hero for those closest to her! But no one will embody her legacy more than her daughter Paula Jean (Anderson) and her son-in-law, Troy D. Anderson, of Orlando. She laughed with them, lived with them, and loved them… And is now and will always be loved by them, forever and ever................... AMEN!