Grace Griffn, beloved OMS teacher, dead at 75

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

Grace Ann Orzano Griffin, loving wife and mother of two known for her class and gratefulness, passed away on Jan. 30, 2023 at the age of 75. She was born in Jamaica, Queens on March 4, 1947 to Antoinette and Pasquale “Pat” Orzano.

Griffin grew up in Oceanside and attended LeMoyne college where she met her husband Mike. After earning her Master’s in literature at Hofstra University, Griffin taught English for more than 30 years at Oceanside Middle School.

Those who she worked with have fond memories of the many times she went beyond the call of duty to help students and teachers alike.

“Grace was a gift to Oceanside Middle School,” said Kathleen Cicerani. “She was knowledgeable, creative, professional and compassionate - the quintessential qualities for success. As the English Language Arts Supervisor at OMS, I visited her classroom often, not to observe and make recommendations, but to learn all the best practices that made her students so successful and happy. She influenced so many of her young colleagues. And I’m positive that there are ELA teachers today who were inspired to teach because of her. Her legacy will carry on.”

Marianna Winchester has been a colleague and friend for over 35 years. She also taught her daughter Anne in Oceanside Middle school, as well as knew her husband Mike and son Michael.

Once the “community spouse” invokes their right to refuse, and all of the other myriad requirements of the Medicaid application are met, the state Medicaid program must pay for the care of the institutionalized spouse.

After Medicaid has been granted, the county may institute a lawsuit seeking to recover the cost of care from the refusing spouse. Nevertheless, there are a few reasons why spousal refusal makes sense, even in light of this risk. First, in many instances, the county never invokes this right. Secondly, these lawsuits are often settled for signifcantly less than the cost of care provided. Thirdly, the payment to the county can sometimes be deferred until the community spouse dies. As one county attorney told us when agreeing to such an arrangement, “the county is going to be around for a long time”. Finally, even though the county may seek recovery, it is only for the Medicaid reimbursement rate and not the private pay rate. For example, if the private pay rate is $18,000 per month, which is what you would have to pay, the amount Medicaid has to pay is generally a quarter to a third less. The county may only pursue you for the amount they actually paid.

“She was a woman of poise, class, loved by all who knew her,” Winchester said, “She had a heart of gold, helping anyone in need of assistance. Her love of teaching went beyond the normal day. Her dedication to her profession was (known) by all who had her as (their) English teacher. She will be missed by many. May she rest in peace.”

Early in Keri Witt’s career at the middle school as a 22-year-old she was paired up with Griffin as the Integrated Co-Teaching teacher and worked with her for 10 years until she retired.

“She was the epitome of class and just the kindest soul you will ever meet. She will be dearly missed and always remembered here at the middle school,” Witt said.

Krista Caracciolo remembers when she started at the middle school in 2001 Griffin was the advisor of the Builders Club. And the following year Caracciolo joined Griffin as the Co-Advisor.

“Grace was always wanting to give back to the community and we found ways to do so through our club,” she said. “She was one of the sweetest, most dedicated women I have known. She retired many years ago and we had lost touch, but I still received a Christmas card every year with a picture of her beautiful (huge) family. She will be greatly missed.”

After retiring from teaching, Griffin moved out to the east end to live in East Marion, the town where generations of her family summered since she was a child.

She was an active member of the community serving as Vice President of East Marion Community Association, member of the Friends of the Library, docent at the OysterPonds Historical Society, and Eucharistic Minister at St. Agnes where she served on the Parish Council. She was also an instructor of Faith Formation at St. Agnes and volunteered at John’s place which provides meals and shelter for unhoused people.

Griffin is survived by her husband Mike, and children Michael and Anne, their spouses Kate and Tom, and her sister Elizabeth and brother in law Greg. She was the proud “Mimi” of five grandchildren Emma, Eamon, Elizabeth, Grace and Clare. Griffin is joining her sister MaryJo, who preceded her in death.

A funeral mass was held on Feb 4 at St. Agnes church in Greenport, followed by a burial service at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. Agnes church in Greenport or to the OysterPonds Historical Association.