Mignon Sheriff Griffiths

Mignon Sheriff Griffiths, 88, passed away of natural causes on October 7, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mignon was born on June 20, 1934 to Martin Harmon Sheriff and Effie Luella Roper Sheriff in Lynndyl, Utah. Mignon loved growing up in this idyllic central Utah community surrounded by lots of family. She was always proud of her Millard County heritage and her family name of Sheriff. She was often seen later in life sporting a sheriff badge at church and on outings with family and friends proclaiming she was “the best kind of sheriff because she wasn’t sworn in, she was born in”. Her family later moved to Orem, Utah in her teenage years. She loved and participated in many sports – being named “female athlete of the year” her senior year. She particularly loved playing softball and continued to find several occasions to play in competitive leagues even after her children were born. While in high school she was also active in the high school music program. Mignon often told her family that Mr. Terry was the best high school choir director ever!

After graduating from Lincoln High School in Orem, Utah she fell in love and married Don Keith Griffiths, Sr. on November 4, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. Mignon and Don had a sweet love story and their family was blessed because of the love and devotion they had for each other. Over the years, they would be blessed with five children. Mignon adored her children and never seemed to get frustrated with the messes and confusion. She called that time of life “Her good old days!” As a young mother, Mignon’s life was filled with singing with her children at the piano, teaching them how to throw and catch a ball, patiently teaching them how to sew, cook, clean and can/bottle just about any kind of food. Mignon taught her children many life skills and the importance of self-sufficiency. Music was an important part of life in Mignon and Don’s home. Even when her children were young music became a gathering point in their lives. Lessons and performing were ever present. Mignon drove the momentum of these efforts and although she did not like to be in the spotlight, she made sure everyone had their chance to shine.

Mignon was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She willingly served in a variety of callings throughout her life including Primary president, Relief Society president and as a counselor in both ward and stake Relief Society presidencies. Mignon’s devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ was never more evident than when she was teaching children. As a Primary teacher, she taught over one hundred children throughout her life. Mignon’s heart was always with the children. She was heard to say on numerous occasions, “You’ll be successful in your calling if you will teach something you love to someone you love.”

Mignon devoted her life to those around her. Throughout her life she created, built and fostered a world of love, kindness, happiness and fun. She nurtured close friendships with neighbors and ward members. Her clever wit and playful humor won many hearts. She mentored those she worked with at the Church Office Building in the Maps and Boundaries office. The fifteen years she spent working there gave Mignon an opportunity to spread her wings and cultivate hidden gifts. She loved the people she worked with – some lifelong friendships were formed.

Mignon lived her life, taught her family, and served others according to her personal motto, “Do good things.” This tagline was on every email, birthday card and note she sent. A companion to her motto was her love of putting confetti in family birthday cards. Her grandchildren remember this fondly. They also remember playing SORRY with Grandma, sleepovers under the dining room table, bottling homemade root beer each summer, bus rides around town, walks to Foothill Village for a treat, and pizza nights during general conference priesthood sessions. She loved her grandchildren and then great-grandchildren as they came along. When she couldn’t sleep at night, Mignon would go through each family in her mind and name every person, her comforting version of counting sheep.

Mignon faced the last twenty seven years as a widow with steadfast courage and determination. While she longed for the day she could be with her sweetheart again she tried to make the best of it in a variety of creative and service oriented ways. It was typical to hear her tell people that the greatest joy in her life was caring for her husband in his last years. All who knew Mignon now feel overwhelming joy for the long awaited reunion she is having with Don.

The family would like to thank the staff at Inspiration Hospice for their excellent care over the last two years and nine months, with a special thank you to Mignon’s CNA, Damaris, for the tender loving care she provided. Further appreciation goes to the staff at Sunrise Senior Living in Holladay for several months of wonderful and compassionate palliative care.

Mignon is survived by her children: Sandy and Brent Howe, Jan and John Jackson, Sharon and Doug Jorgensen, Keith and Amy Griffiths, Rex and Marianne Griffiths, 22 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Larry M. Sheriff along with many loving nieces, nephews and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her siblings Nadine Sheriff Nolton, Cleon R. Sheriff, and Clet Sheriff.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing prior to the service from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the Foothill 3rd Ward 1930 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment at Eastlawn Memorial Hills.

Recording of the funeral service can be found at www.larkinmortuary.com.

We love you Mom. Thank you for our lives and for sharing yours with us.