Katherine Ann "Kathy" Griffin

Katherine Ann "Kathy" Griffin, 80, of New Minas, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Valley Hospice, Kentville, surrounded in love. Born in Kentville, she was the daughter of Barbara (Caron) MacDonald, New Minas and the late John Graves.

Kathy grew up at Willowbank farms with Earl and Zena Schofield and attended the Town Plot School. She started at a young age harvesting fruits and vegetables. She helped Zena feed the farm staff at lunchtime by walking home every day from school. She worked alongside her family, the Carons at the Ashburn Golf Course serving meals on weekends.

After graduating from Horton District High School in 1964, she married Stuart Griffin and together they bought their home in Port Williams in 1970 where they raised their children. There were always kids around the house in Port Williams where she used to pile them in the back of the van to take them swimming in the summer or to the rink for skating in the winter. One year, she made 30 ceramic Christmas trees and other ceramics and sold them all just to have the money to take her family to Florida for Christmas and New Years 1980/1981. Kathy spent countless weekends and league nights alongside Juanita and the girls at Fairlanes Bowling Alley.

Kathy and Stuart later divorced, and Kathy met Lawrence Bishop in 1985. Together they forged a beautiful partnership where Lawrence could grow anything and Kathy could market it. Kathy, Lawrence and staff worked tirelessly from planting to the end of harvest, never wavering. Be it tobacco, berries, peppers, cantaloupe or trout. She learned and excelled in the stewardship of the land which lasted until 2002 when Lawrence died. Many people had shared with her their fond memories from Bishop’s U-Pick & U-Catch. She ran the farm successfully until it was sold in 2003. She and Lawrence achieved Taste of Nova Scotia status for their quality produce.

She continued spending time with kids after her girls grew, to become a Christian educator for almost 30 years. She faithfully served as a Deacon at Bethany Memorial for many years. She shared her vocation through a life of service and kindness, becoming a beacon of the "pay it forward" spirit.

She loved hosting meals at the farm. The table was always surrounded with friends and family. With the size of potluck meals, everyone left with leftovers. We always said there was enough food to feed Camp Aldershot.

She was a woman who wore many hats throughout her life. Over the years, she worked at Willow Bank Farms, as a bank teller in Wolfville and she served as an accountant for Carl and Juanita Bezanson forming a friendship that has lasted over 50 years. She worked as a waitress at the China Inn in the Towers Mall, as a young girl she spent countless seasons picking fruits and vegetables, and later worked on the processing line at Avon Foods. She was an active member of the Port Williams Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for many years. She was a lady who could continually reinvent herself, adapting to life's changes with grace, strength, and perseverance. She had an incredible work ethic that her daughters are so grateful to have inherited.

After Lawrence died, she volunteered her time to multiple organizations such as Grandmothers to Grandmothers, the SPCA, plus many others. She participated in the coldest night of the year for many years. Giving back to her community was incredibly important to Kathy and she gave back in any way she could, even making over 56 blood donations throughout her life. She was a strong advocate for her Lord. She never wavered in her faith and shared His love with many. Everyone knew Kathy because she was out there involved with her community. She dearly loved her children and was overjoyed when she became a grandmother to Grace, who she was very proud of. She also taught her granddaughter, Grace, who lovingly called her "Grammie Cake", the value of hard work and learning that "old people" are pretty amazing blueberry pickers.

Love is acceptance. This described Kathy perfectly.

She is survived by her mother, Barbara MacDonald of New Minas; daughters, Belinda Griffin (Jason Strickland) of New Minas; and Bethlyn (Trevor) Hird of Aldershot; granddaughter, Grace; and extended family.

She was predeceased by her father, John Graves; her common-law partner of 27 years, Lawrence Bishop, and her beloved dog, Beethoven.

The funeral service with livestream will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Reverend Brian Keezer officiating. Interment will be held in the Elm Grove Cemetery. Donations in memory may be made to Valley Hospice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. Online condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.