KLEMPA GRIFFITH Joann, a resident of Redondo Beach,CA, passed away at home on Friday, December 1, 2000, at the age of 47, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She was an adaptive physical education teacher who taught in the Palos Verdes School District since 1989. She was born in Wheeling, WV, and was a graduate of West Virginia University.
Joann touched many lives and will be deeply missed by the many friends and relatives who had the good fortune to know her. She was preceeded in death by her father, John E. Griffith, and is survived by her husband, E. Mark Klempa; mother, Norma Griffith of Wheeling, WV, brothers Dennis Dorothy Griffith of Bolton, MA, and Edward RobinGriffith, DVM, of Geneva, FL; sisters Virginia Brian Damant of Columbus,OH, and Beverly Griffith of Vienna, WV; nephews David Damant and Daniel Griffith and nieces Nicole Garris and Sarah Griffith.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 5, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Wednesday, December 6, 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Funeral Liturgy with mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday at St. Michael Catholic Church, the Rev. James Sobus will be the celebrant. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Vigil services will be held Wednesday at 3:30 pm. A memorial service will also be held at the Manhattan Beach Community Church in Manhattan Beach, CA, on Wednesday, December 13, at 11:00 am.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Joann’s name to the Breast Cancer Care & Research Fund at 23430 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite # 340, Torrance ,CA, 90505.