Carol Jean (Potts) Griffith

Carol Jean Griffith (nee Potts), age 92 of Chagrin Falls, OH, formerly of Shaker Hts., OH, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 1, 2026. Beloved mother of Carrie Griffith, Tom Griffith (Nancy Samuel), and Susie Griffith (W. Scott Porterfield); loving grandmother of Abbey Griffith (partner Alex Bazzell), Aiden Samuel, Olivia Bredell (Bryce), Emma Michalopoulous (Kasiani), and Dan Porterfield (Zora). Additionally, she was a cherished cousin, aunt, great-grandmother and friend of many. She was a luminous presence and the sparkle in every room. She was a creative force in the arts. Her greatest joy was dancing but she was also a talented pianist, visual artist and performer.

Carol grew up in Silver Lake, Ohio, and attended Silver Lake School and Stow High School. She began her college career at Stephens College in Columbia, MO and continued her education at Flora Stone Mather and the Cleveland Institute of Arts in Cleveland, where she studied interior design and illustration.

She worked for University Circle, Inc. from 1978 to 1996. The job was well suited to her arts background and her organizational skills. She pioneered an initiative that brought artists-in-residence into Cleveland city schools, and another that brought students to the arts museums for a garden center program and an arts training program. She was a grant writer and a dance teacher until her retirement.

Carol worked with Cleveland Modern Dance Association, which later became DanceCleveland, as a teacher and administrator and, later, as Board President for two years. With these compatriots, she performed with The Dancing Mimes for several years.

She was active in the alumni association of Flora Stone Mather, organizing charitable events and networking with fellow alums. She served on the Fork and Hoe Garden Club of Greater Cleveland for six years, including serving as Board President for one year. In her later years, she lived at the Hamlet Hills retirement community, where she served as an Ambassador and enjoyed participating in the quarterly art shows at the community’s Atrium.  

Carol was very active in Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights for more than 50 years. She performed in and created choreography for church plays, participated in church school and adult education and, closest to her heart, pioneered a liturgical dance ministry, serving as Dance Captain of a group of five to six devoted dancers. She choreographed, directed and performed with this group for fourteen years, dancing on-stage into her 80s. 

She will be remembered by many as passionate, devout, loyal and vivacious. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones, friends and colleagues. 

Family and friends will be received at Nosek-McCreery Funeral Home, 8150 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville, OH 44141 on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 5-7 pm where Carol's funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm. Private interment at Knollwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carol's name are suggested to Reserve Care (https://reserve-care.org)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Jean (Potts) Griffith, please visit our floral store.