Spokane, WA - Cynthia Louise Haakensen Griffin, 94, of Spokane, Washington, passed from this earth to her Father in heaven on April 21, 2026. She was admired for being an excellent listener, a generous host, a thoughtful and spiritual person who lived an adventurous life. She was a loving mother to her five children, a devoted wife and partner to Dr. Lee Griffin. Cynthia was born to Louise and Hadley Haakensen of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. There she grew up, trained in ballet, then attended University of Minnesota where she met and married Lee. Over 3-1/2 years in the Navy led them to Great Lakes/Chicago, Pensacola, Honolulu, then Whidbey Island, Washington. Captivated by an article in Sunset magazine, Griffins spent over three years in Lake Chelan, Washington with its idyllic water and mountain terrain. A seminal moment of faith inspired Lee and Cyn to serve as missionaries in Ethiopia to establish a medical training and care clinic. Rather than fly from Seattle to Addis Ababa in the usual journey, they boarded a ship in New York to Copenhagen, acquired a Volkswagen microbus, drove (and camped) with their five children through Scandinavia, Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East, and then arrived in Addis. Two years later, they traveled back to the States through South and East Asia and Alaska, ultimately back to Washington State. Wherever they moved (a recurrent theme), Cynthia pursued her dance talents and taught ballet, including at a mental health hospital while Lee finished his residency, and later at their church with a liturgical dance ensemble. Lee and Cynthia retained a sense of adventure and service throughout their life -- studying Amharic and Swahili along the way.

Cynthia corresponded with friends and family throughout the world, often on the blue Aerogrammes, always writing a letter while waiting - whether on errands or at children's piano, dance and skating lessons. She was an expert boat driver and restorer, learned in the many summers on their Minnesota island on Lake Kabetogama, always welcoming friends to join (and work on projects). Cynthia loved and cared for a passel of pets – dogs, cats, bunnies, even a cheetah. Cynthia nourished many plants and flowers, gardened whenever possible, still picking weeds last fall on the grounds of her assisted living residence. Cynthia enjoyed doing puzzles (jigsaw and crossword), making blackberry pie, Pakistani chicken, injera and wat, and feeding apples to the deer in the yard.

Cynthia was predeceased by Lee in 2014 and is survived by her children: Jenny Martinez (Jesse dec'd) of San Francisco, Heidi Mimnaugh (Herb) of Spokane, Kimberly Pierce of Prescott, AZ, Cynthia Quinn of Spokane, and Dan Griffin of Everett; grandchildren : Adam (Jennie) Mimnaugh of Anacortes, WA and Emily Mimnaugh of Spokane, Serena Martinez (Aaron) and Noelle Martinez (Kevin) of San Francisco Bay Area, Hannah Love of Scottsdale, AZ, Matthew (Faith) and Zachary (Casi) Moeser of Spokane, and Sarah Moeser of Trout Lake, WA; and great-grandchildren: Ryan and Jackson Mimnaugh of Anacortes, WA, Mya and Ava Moeser of Spokane, Aliyah, Amena, and Alijah Ingram of Scottsdale, AZ, and Noemi Martinez Crowley of Oakland. Cynthia will be remembered with great affection, admiration, and appreciation.

The family is very grateful for Cynthia's caregivers at Fairwood, South Hill Village, Candlelight Homes, Pine Ridge Memory Care, and Valley Hospital in Spokane. The family will have a private memorial gathering at home, in Spokane. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.