Patty Griffin, a devoted mother, grandmother, friend, and trailblazing community and business leader, passed away on Friday, March 7th at the age of 78.
Born Patricia Ballard on January 4, 1947, in Colusa, California to Larissa and Paul Ballard, Patty spent her early years in the Sacramento Valley. During her time attending Pierce High School in Arbuckle, California, she took great pride in supporting her school’s football and basketball teams as a spirited cheerleader.
During her high school years, she met the love of her life, Joseph Griffin. Patty and Joe married in 1966 and soon started their family welcoming son James and daughter Ashley. The young family took up residence in San Leandro and Davis before settling in Turlock in the late 1970’s, where Patty would leave a lasting mark on the community.
Determined to make a difference in her community, Patty built a career in real estate and was later honored as Realtor of the Year before transitioning to banking. She emerged as a banking leader through her passion and dedication to customer service. Her career evolved into senior leadership roles within Farmers and Merchants Bank until being recruited to Stockton Savings Bank (which became Guaranty Bank).
A true trailblazer, Patty was deeply committed to the success of the Turlock community. She made history as the first female president of the Turlock Sunrise Rotary Club, became one of the first women to serve as Rotary District Governor, and was honored multiple times as a Paul Harris Fellow. She also became the first female president of the California State University, Stanislaus Foundation Board and was a founding member of Leadership Turlock. Her enthusiasm for cheering on her local sports teams translated to support for Stanislaus State athletics where she championed many fundraising efforts and causes in support of the men’s basketball program.
Patty lived a life filled with travel adventures with friends and family. Family vacations to Hawaii, cruises to ports all over the world and countless getaways to Monterey and Carmel brought her immense joy.
Patty’s warmth, generosity, and unwavering love for her family defined her life. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her children James Griffin (Eileen) and Ashley Williams (Jeff) and beloved grandchildren Grace Griffin, Grant Griffin, Kate Williams, Elle Williams and Brody Williams, sister-in-law Sherry Prater and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Joe, sister Katherine, and brothers Douglas and Robert.
A funeral service to honor Patty’s life will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Allen Mortuary in Turlock, California followed by a celebration of life reception.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Patty’s friends for their constant support and prayers for healing and comfort throughout her illness. Thank you to Community Hospice and her loving caregivers for their incredible care and dedication to Patty in her final months.
Patty was a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend – she will be cherished and missed every day.
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Shelly says
March 13, 2025 at 5:43 pmI have had the pleasure of getting to know her over the years through my job at Raleys. She was always kind we always chatted about travel and family! I will miss seeing her and chatting. I know she and Joe are reunited! Just wanted to give my condolences to you all! She was a wonderful person!
Kathie Johnson says
March 12, 2025 at 3:16 pmMy heartfelt sympathies to Patty’s family and her beloved grandchildren. Patty and I grew our friendship from Kindergarten . We shared the same birthday. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding to Joe. We shared a wonderful
friendship with lots of fun and laughter. I was lucky to share two trips to Carmel with Patty after her diagnosis.She always had such wonderful things to say about her grandchildren, and how proud she was of them.
Milton Richards Amy Bublak says
March 12, 2025 at 6:00 amWhen I first came Turlock as Director of Athletics Patty and Joe were two of the first people I met and helped me establish a successful career in Turlock. She was a great friend and wonderful person who loved and did so much for her community. Amy and I will miss our breakfast visits at Lattiff’s with her enjoying strawberry waffles. Our deepest sympathies to Ashely, Jeff, Jim. Eileen and her grandchildren. Sure Joe will be glad to be reunited with her in heaven.