Estancia High’s Emma Griffith, 17, dies; she’s remembered for her strong, positive attitude

There has been sadness among many in Costa Mesa and in the Orange County volleyball community because 17-year-old Emma Griffith died Tuesday after two years of battling bone cancer. But amid the grief, there are smiles as they remember the girl’s strong spirit, caring heart and positive attitude.

“Someone told me that, ‘I don’t think I can say the name Emma without the word, sweet,’” said Jenny Griffith, Emma’s mother. “She was extremely caring about other people. She was empathetic.”

Emma, who played one season of girls’ volleyball as a freshman at Estancia High in the fall of 2012, was loved by many, as seen throughout several messages on the Facebook page: Emma’s prayer support page. Her personality was infectious, as evidenced in a story provided by her mother.

Emma endured radiation treatments at a hospital near San Diego, where a bell rang after a round of treatment had been complete. With the sound of the bell, a nurse also presented a certificate to honor the completion.

However, after Emma was done with a treatment, the entire staff came to her room and they all rang the bell together.

“She was always smiling,” Jenny Griffith said. “She was more caring for other people than herself. She had a really big heart.”

Even while enduring over 40 rounds of radiation treatments she always stayed positive and usually felt as if she was a burden for the hospital staff, Jenny Griffith and Emma’s father Brian Griffith, said.

Emma also held strong in her faith and belief in God. The Griffiths received help and prayers from many, including Hope Chapel Orange Coast in Costa Mesa, Brian Griffith said. A prayer group gathered to pray for her at least once a week, Brian Griffith said.

“She was a remarkable kid,” Brian Griffith said. “She really had a strong relationship with Christ … People, many people, prayed for her. She was just the type that you just loved her and wanted to do anything for her. She was super easy to love.”

Two years ago, Emma thought she had suffered a hip injury because of her intense effort during training for volleyball. Eventually, she went to the hospital for an MRI. Doctors discovered a tumor in her right hip. She was later diagnosed with cancer — osteosarcoma.

Emma’s family, church and friends supported her in her fight against the cancer. Saddleback Valley Volleyball Club conducted charity events for Emma and her family. The Estancia High girls’ volleyball team, and many at the school, also supported Emma and the Griffiths.

“She definitely made our family stronger,” Jenny Griffith said of Emma. “We became closer and more unified because of her care and love. We are so blessed that she was in our lives.”

Emma also drew strength from her family. She was a talented volleyball player and also gained a competitive fire from her family. Her father Brian Griffith was a punter at LSU.

Jenny Griffith, the former Evans, was a star volleyball player at Newport Harbor and UCLA, where she was an All-American as an outside hitter. She also played for the U.S. women’s national team and succeeded in beach volleyball.

Emma’s older sister, Abby, 19, is a rower at Oklahoma, where she will be a sophomore.

Emma’s younger brother, Josh, 16, is a 6-foot-8 incoming sophomore who plays basketball and volleyball at Estancia.

“She was an incredible kid,” said Julie Castillo, Emma’s aunt, the former Evans, who played volleyball at Newport Harbor and Pepperdine. “She battled valiantly with her faith. She was always in good spirits. She made an impact on people just by her demeanor. I can’t even tell you how many [Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon type] moments I had. I would hear from other people ‘I’ve been praying for this amazing kid.’ And I would find out it was Emma. That’s my niece. She’s a fighter.”

A private graveside memorial for Emma took place on Thursday.

The public is invited to Emma’s memorial service at Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa on Aug. 15 at 2 p.m.