Barbara Jean Holm Griffiths
December 13, 1928 (Waltham, Massachusetts) – November 19, 2025 (Butte, Montana). Barbara was born the second of four siblings to Ernest Sanstedt Holm and Hilda Swanson Holm. While studying nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston she met Vernon Griffiths, a Welsh immigrant, attending MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), on an Outing Club hike. They married on October 16, 1954. In 1959, after Vern completed a post doc position at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver B.C., they moved to Butte for Vern’s position as a faculty member at Montana School of Mines. She was very proud of her R.N. degree and worked as a nurse at Silver Bow General Hospital, St. James Hospital, and Butte Home Health.
Barbara was always a very kind, thoughtful person with a strong stubborn streak. She was an avid antique “collector” throughout her life filling her home and ours with prized possessions. Along with antique furniture, linens, glassware, etc., she also developed an extensive antique doll collection. She became an accomplished quilter and knitter, donating an endless supply of wool beanies to children at the Butte Homeless Shelter. She loved playing Scrabble and especially Checkers and showed no mercy to anyone who was willing to play, including grandchildren.
Barbara and Vern took regular trips back to the east coast and Wales to see family and always brought back various collectibles. Starting in 1995 the family and friends shared many fun times at the family cabin in Seeley Lake. This legacy gift will continue for future generations.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Griffiths, who passed away on July 29, 2017
Barbara is survived by five children, Susan Lear (Dan), Janet Griffiths, Brychan (Beth Boston), Huw (Amy Carter), Evan (Erin Downing); eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
She was a devoted lifelong member of the Butte UCC church (United Congregational Church), where a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
We wish to extend our sincere appreciation and thank-you to The Springs Assisted Living and the Trek HomeCare and Hospice staff for their genuine care of Barbara in her last years.
Donations may be made to the Butte United Congregational Church or Trek Home Care and Hospice.
Axelson is privileged to care for Barbara and her family.
Please comment below to leave a memory or share a condolence.
Darlene Allen says
I have thought about Barb many times and wish I had been able to visit her. She was always such a joy and had such wonderful stories about baseball and her travels. I missed her weekly conversations asking if I was going to church and if she could get a ride. She will truly be missed and always remembered.
Emma Dyer says
Oh Barb! I’m coming to Butte after Christmas and planning to visit you. It is so sad that you are gone. Thank you for sharing your joy and your life stories (from your kids to your grandkids and great-grandkids) with me. I’ll forever carry the memories of our fun checkers matches and the quiet patience you had teaching me to knit.
You were a wonderful and kind person. I miss you. Rest easy. ❤️ You are forever missed.
Theresa Dennehy says
Janet and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. What a lady and what a nurse.
Matt Kadillak says
Condolences to the Griffiths clan from the Kadillaks. We all have great memories of Barbara. May she rest in peace.
Pepper Miles says
Barbara was a delight. We enjoyed many good times together as members of Butte’s Symphony Guild, and, in later years when she was able to attend meetings, she went with me. She was always willing to volunteer for the annual home tour, June’s geranium sale, forever ready and willing to help. I was privileged to know her. My deepest sympathy to Janet and family.
Shelly Clark says
Barbara was a ray of sunshine and a blessing to many. She was always knitting headbands for those who needed them and I still have mine and wear it when I shovel snow. I loved her gentle smile and grateful heart. Save a place for us, Barbara!
Joan Gabelmam says
Barbara was wonderful neighbor to my dad John Gabelman… She and Vern were always very social and helpful… Very pleasant to be around… We had a lot of great dinners together… She will be missed
Lorne Morris says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom, Janet. I remember meeting your parents when you lived in the Hillcrest neighborhood many years ago. May she RIP! My dad (95) was living in Butte until a month ago. Blessings for you and your family.
Gretchen Geller says
So grateful to have known Barbara through the UCC church. She was so skilled at making newcomers feel accepted and worked hard to keep that small congregation viable. Apparently, she had a large collection of antiques and I am honored to have a beautiful oak chair that her husband, Vern, refurbished. I so appeciated her ability to reach out and show remarkable respect to all.
Lynn McClellan Ford says
Our condolences to the Griffith’s family! Barb was a close friend of my mom’s (Marianne McClellan) and the last time mom and I were in Butte we stopped by the church to see her. When I got married she made us a cross stitch of F, it still hangs in our kitchen, 40 years later. Vern also made a quilt stand that I still use and my mother’s shadow box. A lot of great memories. For a while they we even our neighbors! Barb was a very giving person and cared for her family and community.
Joan Kotan Hsmmond says
Janet, I am sorry to learn of the death of your mother. I remember her well and think our mothers worked together in nursing.
Sadly, my parents died a month ago, four days apart. They were married 70 years and 354 days! I believe they are all
In heaven catching up with one another.
My condolences to you and your family💔
Joan Kotan
Francene Archibald says
Love to the family and lots of fond memories I will hold on to for years. The UCC is such an important place for my family and Barbara and the Griffiths family were a huge part of that. May she rest in peace and look over all of us as she did while she was with us.