Age 33. 330 Primrose Street, Haverhill, MA. Born 7/15/1909, in Haverhill. Died of carbon monoxide poisoning and "inhalation of coal tar" (death certificate). Elementary school teacher, Charles Bulfinch School, Roxbury (Boston), MA (residing at 376 Riverway Street #5, Jamaica Plain, MA). At a farewell party for S/Sergt. John Sullivan, U.S. Army, age 35, of Manchester, NH, dead, to leave next Monday for Officers' Candidate school. Mixed foursome included her older brother John R. Griffin, age 35 (Born 7/07/1907. Died 6/09/1996, age 88), same Haverhill address, and his companion, Miss Katherine "Kay" Lavey, age 36 (Born 5/29/1906. Died as Katherine C. Griffin on 4/27/1985, age 78), of Somerville, MA, both injured. Group had attended the season-ending afternoon B.C./Holy Cross college football duel at Fenway Park. Left the cellar Melody Lounge "about five minutes" before fire broke, went upstairs to the New Lounge. During their escape to Broadway her brother was knocked unconscious then dragged into the street. "It was learned that Griffin, almost bare to the waist, ran up and down the street looking for his sister and had to be restrained from entering the death trap in an effort to find her" (Haverhill Evening Gazette, 11/30/1942). Also: "Miss Griffin was identified...late last night at the Boston City hospital, where her body had been carried after she was removed from the burning building." Was single. Was a graduate of Haverhill High School in 1928. Graduated Lowell State Teachers College, Lowell, MA, in 1933. "Miss Griffin...was regarded as one of Boston's most brilliant school teachers, having recently been selected as the outstanding teacher of special classes" (Waltham News-Tribune, Waltham, MA, 12/01/1942). Lodged in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston since 1936, but kept Haverhill as a residence. One of 20 names chosen by the Commonwealth in the spring 1943 Grove manslaughter trials as representative fire victims. Cryptic (and unique) "coal tar" cause of death reference on her death certificate was not otherwise explained. Her brother and Miss Lavey would marry in 1945. Separated parents Mrs. Katherine J. (O'Connell), same Haverhill address, and Mr. Thomas F. Griffin. Burial at St. James Cemetery, Haverhill.

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