Jacqueline S. Pettiford Griffin Obituary

Jacqueline S. Pettiford Griffin, age 87, of Chicago, IL died peacefully on February 8, 2024, from lung cancer.

"Jackie" was born May 14, 1936, at the Chicago Passavant Hospital. Throughout infancy, childhood, and pre-teen years she lived in many various states in the USA, due to her fathers occupation as a Management Consultant Engineer. After elementary school, the family moved permanently to Crystal Lake, IL. During her teen years, after elementary school, Jackie was enrolled and attended Baxter Seminary, a parochial high school in Tennessee.

After graduation, Jackie attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City; met and married jazz musician Oscar C. Pettiford; and gave birth to their son Cello L. Pettiford. Shortly after his birth, she and baby joined her husband, who was in Europe on an extensive concert tour with "Jazz at Carnegie Hall". Thereafter, the family moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, where twin daughters Cellina L. Pettiford & Celeste V. (Tim) Jones were born. A year later, Jackie's husband died suddenly from a rare polio-like virus!

Six years later, the family moved to Chicago, where she met and married interior decorator Luther C. Griffin, and gave birth to his daughter Sarah L. (Alex) Diaz. After the Pettiford children reached adulthood, she & Sarah moved to Wisconsin, then returned to Chicago five years later.

Jackie had an outstanding practical education in business from years of experience as an executive secretary in the private sector (publishing, insurance, advertising, travel, real estate, higher-education, manufacturing, and law); she retired after a 25-year career in the public sector as Executive Administrative Assistant at the Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs.

Jackie was an avid reader; lover of music (especially jazz, Sinatra, "Lady Day", and Classical); and enjoyed crossword puzzles. In younger years, she was a proficient ice-skater & snow/water skier.

She was a true advocate of our Constitution & Bill of Rights. She detested bigotry and the polarizing effect it's had on our nation. She longed for each and every citizen to be classified only as "American."

Jackie was preceded in death by both husbands; her son; parents Earl and Vivian Hogie; and all 3 siblings: Joan Grabbe Brown, John B. Hogie, Jeri K. Laffal.

She is survived by 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws; daughter-in-law Mary Ellen Pettiford; 4 grand children: John C. (Marty) Pettiford, Cello L. (Brittany) Pettiford II, Ashley Nicole Jones, Samantha Arce Diaz; 5 great grandchildren: River & Niles Pettiford; Cello III, Solana & Lotus Pettiford; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She will be missed by all.

Interment will take place at the Sauk Prairie Cemetery, Sauk City, Wisconsin.

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