Catherine was born on June 11, 1933 in Washington D.C. She was the daughter of Arthur William Griffith and Grace Marie King. After her father passed when she was nine years old, the family moved to the Hughesville area where she lived the rest of her life. She attended the Hughesville School and La Plata High School. Catherine had eight siblings. Mary Wilkerson, Willie Griffith, Elsie Quade, Annie Thompson, Eddie Griffith, and Arthur Griffith all of whom have passed. She is survived by her brother Ronald Griffith who lives in La Plata, MD and sister Gloria Sandburg who lives in Virginia Beach, VA. She was previously married to Aaron Busby and they had a daughter, Karen, together.
Catherine married Richard L. Berry Sr. (Dickie) on December 3, 1966. They lived in Waldorf before moving to Hughesville. They were married for almost 51 years and shared a happy life together. Catherine was an active member of Post 238 Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion for over 40 years. Both are also members of the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge. She worked at SMECO in the White Plains and Hughesville offices for 37 years, retiring in 2000. She enjoyed working for SMECO and had many friends there. She and Dickie enjoyed playing cards with friends and family (she was a fierce Pitch player!), and attending local dances and other events. They were active in Karen’s school events, attending every band concert, plays, and supporting fund raising events. Catherine and Dickie were also original members of the Hughesville Baptist Church established by Pastor William Barkley Jr.
Catherine’s daughter and son in law, Karen and Ronald Riotto, live in Gaithersburg, MD. There are three grandchildren Anthony Lugo, Bradley Lugo, and Avonlea Riotto. She loved spending time with them and watching them grow up. Yes, she did spoil them in her way with love, inspirational talks about life, and the importance of education and being the best they can be in whatever they do. She was very proud to see the successful and accomplished adults they had become, as she put it “they are just good people”. The many Christmases, birthday celebrations, and just hanging out with Grandma and Pop were amazing, fun times and those memories will live on forever.
Music, dancing, visiting with people, and being with her family were Catherine’s favorite past times. No matter where she was in her house or what she was doing, she would be dancing around and singing to her favorite tunes. She also enjoyed crabbing with Dickie on the Patuxent river. She was vibrant, full of energy, and had a positive attitude. She was generous and giving to all. Her beautiful smile and laugh was infectious, and all who knew her were happy to be in her company. She was beautiful to look at, but even more so on the inside. She and Dickie worked hard for many years to achieve their good life.
We will miss her dearly every Mother’s Day, birthday, holiday, and every day… but we know she is in a better place continuing to watch over us. Rest in peace our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. We will see you again someday. Your love and influence on our lives will always be within us.
Family will receive friends for Catherine’s Life Celebration Visitation on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Funeral Service will be on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11am back at the Funeral Home with Interment following at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 3221 Mattawoman Beantown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601.
