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Penni Griffin
PENNI GRIFFIN
Cedar Rapids
Penni Oncken Griffin, social worker, educator and First Lady of Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Penni was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Nov. 11, 1945. She graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Cedar Rapids in 1963 and from Coe College in 1970, having earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. In the 1970s and 1980s, Mrs. Griffin held numerous social work positions in her native state, including lead social worker and protective services investigator for the Iowa Department of Social Services and director of homemaker services for Family Service Agency in Cedar Rapids. She was significantly involved in the creation of the first hospice in eastern Iowa.
In 1992, she moved to Gaffney, S.C., and began a long career as a social work professor at Limestone College, and later became assistant dean/director of the social work program. In 2012, Limestone College awarded Professor Griffin the status of assistant professor emerita of social work. In addition to her duties as a professor, Mrs. Griffin spent over 23 years serving Limestone College as First Lady. She loved life and she loved helping people.
Penni was the daughter of Rita Klassen Oncken and Edward Oncken.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Nathan Haley.
She is survived by her husband, Walt Griffin; her brother, Rick Oncken; her four children, Megan Griffin, Rebecca Haley (Bob), Kathy Anzis (Hank) and Shawn Griffin (Kathy); her grandchildren, Lauren Haley, Matt Anzis, Ben Anzis, Justin Griffin, Aaron Griffin, Daniel Griffin, Jacob Griffin and Jonathan Griffin; two nieces, Martha Underwood and Holly Oncken (Steve Berg); a nephew, Scott Oncken (Akiko); her beloved cats; and countless friends and former students whom she considered to be part of her family.
Memorials may be given to the Penni Griffin Scholarship Fund or the Library Building Fund at Limestone College, 1115 College Dr., Gaffney, SC 29340.
An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com.
Blakely Funeral Home
& Crematory
Gaffney, S.C.
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