Continuing with our “Endless Waves” series,
come walk along the beach of endless waves with us, and meet
Lillian Sylvia (Griffing) Van Hala, Class of 1913.
Here she is 3 years post-graduation in 1916.
She chose to go by her middle name, Sylvia.
Lillian Sylvia Griffing was born on June 26, 1895, in Brookhaven Township, Long Island, New York. At the time of her birth, her father Dr. Addison Griffing was 39, and her mother Sylvia (Saxton) Griffing was 23.
Lillian Sylvia Griffing’s father, Dr. Addison Griffing.
In 1909, Sylvia is all ready for Sayville High School!
In May of 1912, we find evidence of Lillian Sylvia Griffing’s and her mother musical talent, as they entertain some Sayville teachers in the Griffing home on Candee Ave., Sayville.
In April 1913, we see that Sylvia is a class officer – secretary and that she will be performing in the senior class play.
Sylvia was an actress in the Sayville High senior play in June 1913.
Quoting from the Suffolk County News; “Lillian Griffing, as Margaret Woodward, a capable freshman, was capable indeed and managed herself and the other twelve admirably. She too was as self-possessed as though an appearance before the footlights was a daily occurrence”.
One of 13 graduates in the Sayville High Class of 1913, Sylvia spoke at the graduation ceremony. Again, to avoid confusion, please note that she preferred to go by her middle name, Sylvia.
Quoting from the Suffolk County News; “Lillian Sylvia Griffing has an essay on the early history of Long Island from the time when Hendrik Hudson and his men first set foot upon Coney island in 1609, of the 13 tribes who inhabited Long Island then and the settlement by the Dutch and English, the Battle of Long Island and the substantial growth following the revolution.
Miss Griffing’s essay contained much which was of interest to all Long islanders and was received in marked favor.
Click photos to enlarge.
Sayville High Class of 1913 graduation invitation.
Click photos to enlarge.
Sayville High Class of 1913 graduation photo. Sylvia is seated on the far right.
Just two months after high school graduation, Sylvia was badly injured when struck in the face by a baseball.
She recovered and surgery was successful.
Click photo to enlarge.
Sylvia enjoys a New Year’s Eve party with some of her Sayville high classmates, to wish 1913 goodbye!
Sylvia’s College class graduation photo.
June 24, 1915. Diploma from New York State Normal and Training School, Oneonta, NY.
Certification to teach Kindergarten and grades 1-6 in New York State.
June 20, 1916. Teacher’s Diploma from The Palmer Method of Business Writing in New York City.
Certification to teach Business Penmanship.
Tragedy struck Sylvia just four years after high school graduation, when her father Dr. Addison Howard Griffing died on March 4, 1917.
Click photo to enlarge.
Sylvia married William C. Ackerly on June 1, 1917. The wedding was featured on Page 1 of the Suffolk County News.
Click photo to enlarge.
The death of her father just months before dampened the normal joy and excitment of the wedding.
Tragedy struck for young Sylvia. Her husband William C. Ackerly died of influenza less than a month after the outbreak, on October 17, 1918.
Married just 16 months, Sylvia was now a widow at the age of 23.
Click photo to enlarge.
Pelham Bay Naval Training Camp, Pelham Bay, N.Y.
The Influenza outbreak at the United States Naval Training Camp, Pelham Bay Park, began September 24, 1918. There were 2,399 cases of influenza, with a total of 145 deaths, one being Lillian’s husband.
The flu struck an estimated 500 million people, some 28% of the world population. American combat deaths in World War I totaled 53,402.
About 45,000 American Soldiers died of influenza and related pneumonia by the end of 1918.
Love and joy returned to Sylvia when she met Henry Aeno Van Hala of Michigan. They married on June 27, 1922.
Sylvia and Henry had two children during their marriage.
Sylvia’s mother Sylvia (Saxton) Griffing died in 1946 at age 74. Her obituary was published in the Suffolk County News.
Sylvia Griffing was one of five original members with organized the Sayville Public Library.
Lilian Sylvia (Griffin) VanHala’s grandaughter Barbara (VanHala) Meggas
wrote to me stating in part;
“They lived in Lakewood, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland after Birmingham) and their two sons joined them there.
All seven grandchildren were born and raised in the Cleveland area. Sylvia was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Eastern Star, and her church. Sylvia loved playing bridge, knitting, and crocheting”.
In addition to Sayville, Lillian lived many other places of the course of her life including;
Huntington, Long Island, New York.
Quincy, Massachusetts.
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Homewood, Alabama.
Birmingham, Alabama.
Sarasota, Florida.
Lillian died February 12, 1980 Sarasota, Florida. She is buried in Edgewood Cemetery, Cedarville, Mackinac County, Michigan.
This endless waes story was prepared by Sayville Alumni Association director Hal Brown. Photographs were graciously provided by Lillian’s Great-Granddaughter, Allyson (Van Hala) Hupka.
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