Memorial

Martha Suzanne Griggs, 88, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026. She lived a full, joyful life, meeting every hardship with strength and grace. 

Born on July 10, 1938, in Geneseo, Illinois, Suzanne was the daughter of Perry and Fontell (Woods) Smith. She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, where she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, Mortar Board and Who’s Who. Suzanne had a daughter, Robyn, with her first husband, Robert Woodward, who passed away in 1963. She married Carrol Griggs in 1965 and adopted his daughters, Stefanie and Stacey. Suzanne and Carrol had a son, Stephen. Carrol passed away in 2003. Suzanne is survived by all four children, son-in-law J.T. Breslin, eight grandchildren and her sister, Karen Phillips.

Suzanne was a reading teacher with the Cedar Rapids Community School District for nearly 40 years and consistently gave her time to improve the lives of others, devoting thousands of hours to organizations that strengthened Cedar Rapids and supported children, families, historical preservation, the arts and healthcare. She was a member of the Cedar Rapids Junior League, 100+ Men and Women Who Care and served on the Cedar Rapids Foster Care Review Board. She was a volunteer at Mercy Hospital and a docent at the Brucemore historic estate in Cedar Rapids. She was honored with a Governor’s Volunteer Award.

Above all, Suzanne cherished her family and many longtime friends.

A celebration of life will be held at the Cedar Rapids Country Club on Saturday, August 22, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 (CRLibrary.org/Foundation).