Norene Griffin

Norene Alphay Robinson-Griffin, was the daughter of the late Alma Drummond Robinson, and the late Leonard M. Robinson. She entered life at the Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday August 7, 1959. She exited this life on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Norene was reared and educated in Dover, Delaware. Her early learning experiences took place at Fairview Elementary, William Henry Middle and Central Middle Schools. She continued to Dover High School, graduating in 1977. During high school, Norene was an active member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and the Ebony Club. After graduating from high school, she joined the military, serving a brief stint in the Army at Fort Jackson, located in Columbia, South Carolina. Upon discharge from the Army, she returned to Dover and pursued studies in Business and Social Work at Wesley College, Delaware Technical and Community College, and Delaware State University. Norene’s spiritual foundation was developed at Whatcoat United Methodist Church-Dover where, in her youth, she enjoyed attending Church School, Vacation Bible School as well as singing with the Cherub Choir, the Youth Gospel Choir and the Diamond State Choir. Additional memberships included the Zeta Amicae of Dover, an auxiliary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Zeta Zeta Chapter. In 1985, Norene met Leroy “Chuck” Griffin of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two hit it off immediately and were married in June, 1988. The couple settled in Dover and, ultimately, lived with Norene’s mother, with whom they lovingly shared a close bond, caring for her as a couple, until her mother’s death in 2002. Professionally, Norene held a variety of positions, including Program Director with the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scouts, supervisor with the local U. S. Census Bureau, Team Manager with the MBNA telemarketing center in Dover, an Accounts Specialist with Aetna and teller with DelOne Federal Credit Union. For several years, she also provided childcare services for local families, relatives, and friends. Norene enjoyed volunteering with a few organizations, including the Delaware Court Appointed Special Advocates (DECASA) and serving as a volunteer Ombudsman at the Silver Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dover. Norene was extremely civic-minded and was an advocate for justice, which underscored her involvement in the Democratic Party, first serving alongside her mother as a committee person with the 31st District in Dover. She enjoyed working at the polls during national elections, volunteering at the Democratic Party Headquarters, and monitoring the country’s political pulse. She was also involved, for a period, in the Northwest Dover Heights neighborhood association, where she was concerned with upholding a high standard of living in the place where she grew up and continued to make her home. Norene had a deep compassion for animals and for individuals who could not speak or fend for themselves. She was assertive and tenacious about human rights. Norene was the one who stood in the gap whether the gap was narrow or broad. She was most passionate about family, friends and world affairs. Norene had a strong faith. She firmly believed in God and in His divine providence. Up to the end of her life, she declared that despite whatever was happening in her life, or in the world, “God is in control”. Norene is reunited with her mother, Alma Drummond Robinson; father, Leonard M. Robinson; sister, Carrye Mae Sims; and brother, Roscoe H. Drummond. Those who will cherish memories of her life and her love are: her devoted husband of 32 years, Leroy F. “Chuck” Griffin; a sister, Dr. Lorene K. Robinson, of Dover; mother-in-law, Barbara Griffin of Philadelphia, PA; sisters-in-law, Cynthia Abdullah (Jose) of Atlanta, GA and Stacey Griffin of Philadelphia; brothers-in-law, Keith Griffin (Doreen) and Kevin Griffin, both of Philadelphia, PA; several nieces and nephews, including Roscoe Wilson of Lancaster, PA, Charyn Scrivens (Darryl) of Waldorf, MD, Pamela Williams of Dover, DE, Dennis Sims (Sharon) of Enterprise, AL, Martha Sims-Wilson (Earl) of Dover, DE, William Bland, Robin Harris, James Drummond, Alma Drummond and Donie Drummond all of DC/Maryland; several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. In addition, Norene leaves The Reverend Rita Mishoe Paige, her best friend of 54 years; Paula Watson of Bear, DE.; Vanessa Harper of Dover, DE; and her beloved fur-balls, Snickers, Lucky and Spice, at home. A celebratory event will be held later when restrictions have been lifted. In memory of Norene Robinson-Griffin the family suggests contributions to the First State Animal Center and SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934 (fsac-spca.org), or to Whatcoat United Methodist Church, 341 Saulsbury Road, Dover, DE 19904.

Norene Griffin

August 7, 1959 - April 14, 2020