Young, Karol Griffin

Karol was a very dear friend whose wit and smile will be fondly remembered. May God rest her soul and comfort her family.

Karol became my friend the summer of 2008 when she taught my Interpersonal Communciations class. I was going through a seperation/divorce at the time and was scrambling to locate a truck. Karol had no problem helping me out that day with her personal truck. From that day forward we shared many stories. Enjoyment was not common in my life that summer so Karol decided a trip to the lake with Sam and his friend would be a good day of relaxation. It was my most memorable day of that summer. Sam is a wonderful boy, so very giving and fun to be around. I still have the hot wheel he parted with to give to me. When I was back in Riverton the summer of 2009 Karol spared some time for me in her busy schedule to sit down and chat. I will miss her greatly and appreciate all she did for me. My heart goes out to her husband and son at this very difficult time. Hugs and blessings to all of Karol's family.

Heather

Jason, Sam and family...You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Anything we can do for you please let us know. We are here for you all.

So sorry for your loss. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.

Karol became a very dear friend of mine as well as my son's. We had visited each other on several occasions and would have lunch together when we could manage. It was at her wedding that I danced with my son for the very first time. We had a wonderful time, as I always did when I was with Karol. We shared a lot of laughs as well as tears and she'll live in my heart always.

Karol, you are a dear and wonderful friend. I will miss you terribly!

Karol was a great friend I will miss deeply. I wish I had been in Riverton to see her again. Jason, Sam and Karol - you are in my prayers daily.
Julie McCray

I'm sitting here staring at this screen, trying to think what to say. I feel like I've been weeping since I heard the news yesterday. I wish I could come to the services, if only to be around other people who loved Karol. My thoughts are with you all.

From one of the writers who made Sam's baby quilt.

Karol was my very first teacher at Central Wyoming College. I met her through online English and Creative Writing courses during the summer of 2008 before finally meeting her in person last fall. The moment I saw her, I realized that her spirit had been transcending distance – because every ounce of vitality that she had displayed online was intact and true in person.

What I loved about Karol was that I could pour my heart out without repercussions. I wrote all of my taboos down for her to see and she loved them. I never thought I would meet another soul who was as unapologetically honest. It is a beautiful thing to be. She earned my respect because she was to-the-core talented and genuine. In fact, I count her among my favorite souls.

Karol always encouraged me to write. In her last email to me, she said, "You are the most intelligent and creative student I’ve ever encountered, and I am in awe of you."

I wish now that I could tell her how she has impacted my life. I would like her to know that she is partly responsible for the good things she sees in me.

What I mean is…it is not enough to say that Karol was an exceptional teacher and friend. Not enough to say that her spirit has imprinted mine forever. Not enough to speak of her in the past tense. As I stated earlier, her spirit can transcend distance. I believe that to be unwaveringly true – especially now. It was her spirit that welcomed me back to the world of academia, the world of writing…and, ultimately, back to myself.

The closest I can come to expressing my gratitude, my sorrow, and my admiration is this:
I’m going to write.
My heart goes out to everybody who knew, appreciated, and loved Karol.

Dear Young and Griffin Families,

Thank you for welcoming me in Karol’s last hours. It was so good to see her surrounded by her beloved people. I am honored that I was there. The world has changed in her passing but her spirit and love will always reach us.

In deepest sympathy for her passing and deepest gratitude for her life,

Anne Hokenstad

So sorry to hear of this loss to the Griffin family. As the stepdaughter of Mignon Hill, who was both close friend and mentor to Leah, I feel this for the sake of both my beloved stepmother and my father John. What I have heard of Karol's life and spirit makes me regret that I did not know her.

I know words are never enough to help bring comfort and consolation in times like these, but words were one thing that Karol loved so very much and herself managed to find comfort in.

Sam, I want you to know that your mother was a shining star – one of the most uniquely amazing individuals I have ever had the pleasure of calling my friend. Though our ships only momentarily passed for a few short years while I worked my way through college in Laramie, the impression that she burned into my brain is so intensely vivid and happy, that I am nothing short of grateful. Karol had an amazing wit, laugh, smile and verve (a word she would giggle at today) that I admired and adored. I know she loved her family deeply and her brilliance will live on through you.

I pray for peace for your family and that you will always remember that your mother touched a lot of people's lives in very meaningful ways. She was an extremely giving, sincere, genuine, original, emotional, sensitive, brave, creative, intelligent and beautiful person. Know this always.

I miss my friend, but I am comforted in knowing that she will live on through you.

Be well and God bless you and your family.

I was in one of Karol's classes when I went back to finish my Associate's Degree. Her teaching talents made it easy for me to learn and understand what I needed to in interpersonal communication. She was a very fun person who made sure we all understood that education was not all in the classroom. I really enjoyed her real-life experiences and that she was a real person. When she saw me away from school she always said hello and I will miss her. So will all of the students she has taught over the years.

For my beautiful friend, Karol, who always kept me guessing what color her hair was going to be and who enveloped me with love and complete acceptance and who shared single parenthood and chasing rainbows and laughter and joy!

Karol was a wonderfull friend and a great student. I am so glad that I had the chance to know her and work with her on her old car. We will miss her here at the CWC auto department.

I only knew Karol for a few years during my 1995-1998 stay in Laramie, but always remember the times spent with her and am so saddened to learn of her death. There are people that come into your life that you will never forget and Karol is one of those people. Thanks for the memories, Karol, and may you RIP. Love always, Kim

T.A. Larson told me once that no one can know all of a person's life.

I first knew Karol as a patron at the public library--her hair color, clothing, and bracelets set her apart. She always smiled beatifically.

I next knew her as the helpful woman at Kinko's who'd cut the library a deal.

Then I knew her as an author--who reported being a shelver at the Albany County Public Library, reading in the stacks.

To have a colleague die can change the world.
To have a friend die is a world changing event.
To have a mother die when you are young changes the world forever.
To have a child die before you changes the world forever.

Grief does not achieve closure; it goes on forever, changing, pouring back like a tidal wave with a new loss. I am sorry for your losses and for your griefs. I remember Leah too. They both had great smiles.

Dear Sam and Family,

I am so sorry for your loss. I wanted you to know that your mother was a wonderful lady. She could brighten anyone's day!!! When she came into Ashgrove and gave me her wonderful book with a smile, I knew she loved life. I could see all the love she had for you, Sam. I did not know she was sick, until I saw her picture in the paper. I am so sorry for your loss.



Your third grade teacher,
Mrs. Heidi Olson

Karol was an amazing young woman, even as an 8th grader, for that is what I think of when I think of her. A beautifully creative person who seemed to enjoy everything.

I hope that knowing so many people cared for Karol will help you get through this very difficult time. Sometimes reading and hearing the wonderful memories of others make it easier to remember our own.

Joney Wilmot

I never got a chance to tell her thank you for understanding me, my situations, and for not passing judgement. Karol was an amazing, kind, and loving person. She will be greatly missed.

Though I knew Karol only a few years in the mid-90s, she was an influence on my life. Whenever Karol looked at me, I always felt she saw the best in me and interacted with that part of me regardless of whether that was the part of myself I was using at the time. As a fellow (though more frustrated) writer, her encouragement and assumption that I was meant to succeed meant the world when I felt I might never achieve anything.

I'm so grateful that she was a part of my life. She is greatly missed.