Melba Fahynett Griffin

Melba Fahynett Griffin passed peacefully on Thursday, December 12, at the Queen of the Valley after a wonderful life of 95 years. She was born on September 18, 1918, in Anderson, Missouri, to James William Busby and Delia Elizabeth (Schmidt) Busby. Melba was the first of four children; Robert (deceased), Delorace Griffin of Napa and John (deceased). Melba was born into and grew up in hard times on a small farm where she learned to garden and harvest vegetables, fruit, green beans, strawberries and tomatoes at a very young age. After the death of her mother in 1929, Melba and her siblings were raised by their maternal grandparents Robert and Nettie Schmidt. On July 31, 1939, Melba married Lester Griffin in Neosho, Missouri, where they farmed until they moved to California in 1948, settling in San Pablo. Melba and her sister Delorace (Dolly) each married a Griffin brother. Delorace and Richard moved to the San Pablo area with Melba and Lester following shortly thereafter. The two brothers and sisters were inseparable throughout their lives. In 1975, Melba and Lester would again follow Delorace and Richard to Napa after Lester's' retirement where they bought a piece of property adjoining Delorace and Richards' farm. Melba was related to the infamous Hatfield family, part Native American of the Oklahoma Sioux, and of German heritage. She was proud of her heritage and culture. Every family gathering brought up the Hatfield relationship and stories of the legendary feud with the McCoys. Melba, known for her stubbornness attributed it to her Missouri roots and Hatfield lineage. Melba was the consummate master gardener who never met a plant or flower she didn't like or couldn't grow. Her property is filled with colorful plantings with extensive cactus and succulents of every type. Melba took special pride in her Christmas Cactus with their pink, white and, her favorite color, red flowers. She had a greenhouse full of plants. Last count showed over 400 potted plants in addition to her garden beds and her orchard of over 25 fruit trees. This past summer Melba helped harvest tomatoes, green beans, squash, onions and potatoes in the family garden. Her farm upbringing had taught her to be self-sufficient. Every season she gave fruit and vegetables to family and friends. Melba had a special place reserved in her heart for children and animals, small and large. When her brother John passed she and Delorace adopted his toy poodle, Cuddles, and brought it home to raise. Melba took in, fed and cared for feral cats on her property and was feeding them right up onto the week of her passing. Melba loved and doted on her nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Melba was known for teaching all babies in the family how to patty-cake and became known as "Melbo" by all the children. Having no children of her own she is survived by; her sister Delorace, niece Carolyn (Budd Johnson), nephews James (Vicki) and Robert (Sioux), great-nephews John (Kymm), James Richard (Erin), great-niece Cristina (Matt Hallgren), and great-great nieces and nephews Madison, Isaiah, Hunter, Emma and Colton. Another major interest of Melba's was sewing and quilting. She completed her first quilt at age thirteen which has been passed down as a family heirloom. She continued quilting and doing embroidery throughout her life, giving many quilts to family members. Some of her quilts were prize winners at the Napa County Fair and the ribbons still hang in her house. As a testament to her endurance she was embroidering a vintage car pattern to make into a block quilt at the time of her passing. The quilt will be finished by family. Melba, an active, strong willed and independent lady throughout her life, demonstrated this by her determination to walk to the ambulance prior to her admittance to the Queen of the Valley and talking with her nurse shortly before her passing about needing to write her Christmas cards. Melba was blessed to have been a patient of several competent and caring physicians, nurses and staff over the past few years. During the last year she had been admitted four times to the Queen of the Valley where she had outstanding medical care by the physicians, nurses, and staff which provided her a higher quality of life. The family would like to extend special thanks and gratitude to Doctors Rupnik and Diakon and their staff for their wonderful and special treatment to her for many years. And, an extra special thanks to Doctor Trnavsky-Hobbs and her staff. They were simply outstanding during the past few years in their treatment and care of Melba. Melba enjoyed a special relationship with Doctor Hobbs sharing a mutual love of gardening, farming and animals. Melba was actively involved and inquisitive about life and her surroundings, whether it be raising her nephews or niece, or working in the family garden, she was all about family. Family was the center of her life. We can only hope our lives are as fulfilling and meaningful as Melba's. She will be deeply missed. Melba will be interned at Napa Valley Memorial Park next to her husband, Lester. At her request there will be no service.

Tributes

Melba Fahynett Griffin

September 18, 1918 - December 12, 2013