Yvette M. Griego

Yvette M. Griego, 92, passed peacefully in the loving presence of her family on May 30, 2018, after a short illness. Yvette spent her childhood in Lunéville, France, during WWII, where she contributed in many ways to the war effort. There she met her future husband, Paul Griego, of Algodones, NM, who was serving in the Army Air Corps. After the war, she traveled six weeks across the Atlantic in a freighter to become one of Santa Fe’s first War Brides. Yvette raised five children while a homemaker and seamstress, she volunteered at her children's schools teaching French, cooking, and history. Yvette was an avid photographer and volunteered her talent for countless weddings and other events.

Above all, she was a friend to everyone. If she met someone on a flight, chances are they would be friends forever. She enjoyed reading, writing, kept a lifetime of journals, and never failed to remember to send a birthday card, a sympathy note, or offer support and sage advice to anyone.

Yvette enjoyed entertaining in her home and hosted the “Oui Oui Club” gatherings with other War Brides for decades. She made many friends through her association with Le Groupe Français d'Albuquerque. Yvette was a talented story teller, many of her stories were about her adventures growing up in wartime, settling into NM where she spoke little English or Spanish, and the culture shock she experienced when she arrived. Her stories could be dramatic, scary, or even sad, yet she had a rare ability to make every story end in laughter and tears. She enjoyed cooking and she always was prepared to feed anyone who might drop in. She made the best quiche, crepes, cream puffs, floating islands, biscochitos and even “French styled posole.”

She was a proud citizen of the U.S. and France and gifted many traditions to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. St. Nicholas Day Kings’ Day, Crepe Day, Easter basket cupcakes, Bastille Day, and many other holidays and traditions which will be continued in her honor forever.

She enjoyed playing cards, Triominos, Yahtzee, and even Frisbee in the park with her grandchildren and their friends. In her later years, her iPad never left her side and she immediately took to emailing friends throughout the world, posting on social media, and playing games, all of which gave her great joy and opened an entire new world to her. Her calendar was filled with plans and she often said she never had time to be bored.

Yvette is predeceased by her parents, her former husband, and their beloved son Ralphie. She is survived by her children, Marilyn Green and husband Dan, Lori Friis, Paul L. Griego, Eric E. Griego and wife Kellie, grandchildren Kelly and Aaron Chileski, Dani Scherperel, Norman and Sarah Friis, Gregory Friis, Erika and Scott Stoll, Sophia Griego, Jacob and Jessica Griego, Kara and Shawn Hall, plus four great-grandchildren and two more on the way.

Yvette’s Rosary and Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 8 at 6:00 pm, followed by a “Bon Voyage party” where we can share our favorite stories, cry, and laugh as she would want. Burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery will be private.

Flowers are welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to:

Animal Humane New Mexico

615 Virginia St. SE

Albuquerque, NM 87108