Janet Humes Griffith

We are saddened to announce the passing of our beautiful mother Janet Humes Griffith, 56, who passed away January 20th. This happened unexpectedly to the heartache to all those who loved her.

Janet was born in 1965 in St Louis Missouri to Eugene and Geneva Humes. She was the youngest of two children (Linda being a few years older) and grew up in a loving family. As a young child Jan quickly developed a love of the water, with swimming, boating, water skiing and camping being a regular part of the Humes family fun. She had a wonderful childhood and the companionship of many close friends during her youth and teen years.
At the age of 24 she met the love of her life, John, and they were married within a year. They quickly started their large family with two sets of twins, then had three more children after that.
Sadly, the family lost one of the daughters in a tragic drowning accident which affected Janet for the rest of her life. She struggled over the years with multiple health problems but was still able to have a positive attitude about life. She loved her children and grandchildren and created many great memories of road trips and camping and fishing.
Janet loved to sing classic 70’s tunes and to dance while doing the dishes. She couldn’t do either well but to the delight of everyone she had the confidence to try.
Her heart was huge, and Jan would help anyone in need. Her home was a sanctuary of love and safety for her children and grandchildren.
Jan will be sorely missed. Heartbroken are her boys, Danny, Paul, and Andy of Bismarck, North Dakota. Her three daughters Mallory, Kelsey, and Sarah, and their partners of Vernal will miss their loving mother beyond words. She also leaves behind 8 grandsons, and one brand new granddaughter. It’s so tragic that her grandchildren will not experience more of Jan’s love and caring for them.
Jan also leaves behind the love of her ex-husband John, who despite the divorce remained in love, and were best friends.
It will be difficult for us to live without our loving mother and grandmother. We know she is in a better place and is still going to be watching over us, sending her love and guiding us through any trials.

Our dearest Momma G.
Momma G was a special type of person that this world is in short supply of. She will be sorely missed by the many lives that she has touched throughout the years. I will talk about all the good times and happy moments that made her so special to us. However, to fully understand the life she lived, you must understand the sorrow and pain that she carried. She had lost her daughter, Lori, in a tragic accident almost 30 years ago. From that day on she was never the same. It was not until she lost her mom that it became clear, her deepest desire was to be reunited with her daughter and mother once again. That day has finally come and although her passing is painful for her family and friends that remain, we should all take comfort in knowing that she is finally in no more pain. She is with her daughter Lori, and her parents Gene and Geneva.
One of our mom’s best qualities was that she was family oriented. Her family was her everything, so it makes sense why she felt the way she did after we lost Lori. Although she was lost and changed forever after Lori died, her love for the rest of her children never faltered. She showered us with love and knowledge. Her children have all come together to put her to rest and to be here to support each other and our father though this difficult time.
Danny wanted to be here with us today but felt in his heart that he just could not bear it. He wanted me to share what he loved most about her. It is no surprise to anyone that it took immense love and constant diligence to keep all six of her children fed, happy, and healthy. She was the glue that held us together. Danny loved and will miss the fact that he could call mom anytime, day or night, with any problem or complaint and the first thing that she would say is “have you eaten yet today?”
Paul’s favorite memories of mom are of her in the kitchen. As a mother of six children, we all have fond memories of our mom in the kitchen. Paul will miss his endless phone calls with mom. I remember, she would always say “I can never get Paul off the phone” and if you were to talk to him about it, he would say the same. He was always comforted by her as she reassured him that he is indeed a good father, and he loves his family. She calmed his fears and entertained his wild ideas. He loves that she never put up with any one’s shit. In all reality she was all bark and no bite. We would always say “oh you’re so tough”, but we all know she had the softest heart.
Mallory will cherish the many fun times playing cards as we all will. She will miss being able to call mom with any questions she may have or for advice on cooking and other things only a mom would know. Mom loved to share the details of her day and inquire about Mallory and Declan’s. There were many times that Mallory just needed to call mom and vent and mom always knew what to say to help calm her down. Mom was always curious of what Declan was up to. She wanted to know exactly what he was learning and was so proud to know of him and his accomplishments.

Kelsey’s heart breaks at the loss of her best friend. Mom’s house was a sanctuary for us all, but for Kelsey, mom’s house was never not her own. Kelsey was most comfortable when she was with her mom. Always teasing and talking shit. They shared many laughs and tears throughout the years, and when the world around her seemed too much to handle it was cuddled up next to her mom where she felt the safest and at peace.
When I asked Sarah of her fondest memory of our mom, she could not simply pick one. Every single moment Sarah spent with mom was time cherished. Anyone who knows Sarah, knows that her relationship with her mom was everything to her. Nothing compares to the love and understanding that they shared, and nothing could ever come between them. They almost always saw eye to eye which makes sense because Sarah is the spitting image of our loving mother. Sarah is so grateful to have had her mom there with her while she was in labor. Mom reassured her saying “everything will be okay, and I am so proud of you.”
She was indeed so proud of all of us. She reassured us all daily that everything would be okay. She never missed an opportunity to let us know exactly how proud she was of us. There was no leaving her house without giving her a hug first. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She loved us all so much. We all have our own memories of her that we will cherish forever. Anyone else who would like to share can do so now.


Dad’s favorite memory.
I loved all the family trips we went on. SO many fun places! I loved to drive, and Jan loved to share time with all the kids, playing games and cooking. Since her time on family trips mainly involved time with the kids as it should be, I will always cherish the time we got to go on trips by ourselves. We always had her reliable parents and friends that would watch the kids, so we could enjoy some alone time. Jan loved all the different places around the world we got to explore. She loved to travel and was always happy, laughing, and loving the companionship of me and my family. The memory of all those trips, make it seem like it was yesterday. I think she was most at home just camping locally. Sitting by the fire with a fresh diet coke was heaven!

We love and miss you Mom !
Cremation arrangements handled at Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.