Stephanie Griffin Negriff

Stephanie Griffin Negriff, 67, of Los Angeles, CA, passed away on September 11, 2023.  She was born in Los Angeles on September 28, 1955, to Melvin and Navaline Griffin, and had three siblings, Bevis M. Griffin, Rosalyn Jill Griffin, and Robert M. Griffin.  At the age of 10, she moved with her family to Wichita Falls, Texas, where she lived until she graduated from Wichita Falls High School.  She then began her higher education journey at the University of Texas at Austin.

For over 30 years, Stephanie was a devoted public servant in the transit industry working her way up through the ranks to become the first female African American Director of the City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus (BBB) in 2001.  Stephanie began her career in public transit in the late 1970s in Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri before she returned to the Los Angeles area to start working at the BBB in 1986.  Prior to her retirement in 2011, Stephanie’s career culminated with her being named Outstanding Public Transportation Manager of the Year by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).  Post-retirement, Stephanie began contributing to causes she was passionate about, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Westside Family Health Center.  She also started a new chapter in her professional life, founding a transit consulting company called SGN & Associates in 2012, and co-founding Deux Voix Apex Solutions with her brother Bevis M. Griffin and colleagues in 2022.  In pursuit of her professional goals and interests, Stephanie completed a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 1999, followed by a Master of Arts in Communication Studies in 2017, at California State University, Northridge. 

In 1989, a few years after Stephanie moved to Santa Monica, a mutual friend introduced her and Larry, who asked her on a first date, which she politely declined.  However, she ultimately could not resist his charm, and their love story began.  They were married in Malibu on August 15, 1998, and the wedding in her words “was just perfect.”  Just prior to Stephanie’s death, she and Larry celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by attending an Adele concert in Las Vegas.  Above all else, Stephanie cherished and valued the life and family she built together with Larry, her best friend.

As anyone who met Stephanie knows, she was charismatic, caring, generous, passionate, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone.  She always exuded poise and class in advocating for the cultural, political, and social issues she believed in, and went out of her way to help people in all walks of life.  She was committed to doing her part in building a better, more just world.  Stephanie had a warm and comforting presence that made anyone around her feel at ease, and her smile and laughter were infectious.  Over the duration of her 45 year professional career, Stephanie became an exemplar of leadership we should all aspire to.  While BBB Director, every Christmas she personally delivered homemade pies to her BBB employees who were required to work on the holiday.  In her free time, she enjoyed playing piano and singing, art, creative writing, gardening, cooking, as well as her favorite pastime, shopping.  Most of all, Stephanie treasured celebrating holidays and special occasions with her family. 

Stephanie was a loving wife to Larry Negriff, stepmother to his two daughters, Sonya Negriff (husband Scott Lundy) and Liza Negriff, grandmother to her sole grandchild, Cole, sister to Bevis M. Griffin (wife Kim M. Griffin), and niece to Dr. Francis Hodges.  She was also the most devoted dog mom to Atticus and Cody, and always held close to her heart the memory of her first two dogs DJ and Tyberius.  Stephanie was predeceased by her parents, Melvin and Navaline, her sister Jill, and her brother Bob.

With Stephanie’s premature passing, the world has lost a woman with a strong and beautiful spirit who made a lasting impact on the lives and communities she touched.  Her loved ones will forever cherish the memories etched in their hearts despite the unfillable gap her passing has left.

A viewing and funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on September 30, 2023, at Chapel of the Gardens, Mountain View Mortuary, 2300 North Marengo Ave., Altadena, CA.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Westside Family Health Center using the donation button on their website, www.wfhcenter.org, or by mailing a check to 3861 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City CA. 90230.  Please notate that the donation is in tribute to Stephanie Griffin Negriff.