Dorothy Virginia Edwards Albano Griffin entered God’s Heavenly Kingdom on October 11, 2021 at 98. Being the eldest of five, Dorothy was ferociously independent and a “take charge” person. Lovingly referred to as the “Sergeant” by her grandchildren. Born in Brooklyn tenements then moving to Queens, she experienced hard times growing up in the depression. Dorothy reminisced how she and her siblings would roast potatoes in the empty lots during that time and fondly spoke of the church bringing food bundles for holiday dinners. During WWII and Korea, she saw her three brothers go off to war and joyfully saw them all come home. Both of Dorothy’s husbands were veterans of WWII, and her late son-in-law also served during the Viet Nam Era, thus leading to her long association with the VA and veteran’s causes.
Proudly she was the first in her family to finish high school and attend college. After marrying and becoming a mother, Dorothy worked as a school crossing guard in Jamaica, Queens, then became one of the first paraprofessionals in the Queens public school system at PS 95. She also worked at Queensborough Community College. Dorothy inspired many with her love of learning and the importance of education and service to others.
We would be remiss not to mention Dorothy’s love of animals and her commitment to helping rescue organizations that worked with injured and abandoned animals.
Family meant the world to Dorothy. She not only adored her daughter (Nancy), granddaughters (Shannon, Colleen, and Erin), grandsons-in-law (Dean and Patrick), and Great-grandchildren (Kevin and Kara) but was so proud of all her nieces and nephews and their children (and there are many). Dorothy will be laid to rest in Queens, New York, beside her first husband.
So please remember her in your thoughts and prayers. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following in Dorothy’s name:
Freedom Service Dogs of America
https://freedomservicedogs.org
The Gary Sinise Foundation
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/faq/how-can-i-donate-to-st-jude
The AWARE Wildlife Center