Chianne L. Griffin Gaede

Today is my Cousin's oldest daughters memorial service. She was killed in a vehicular accident 3 days before our family reunion. Despite the circumstances, our family reunion turned out ok. There were moments when my cousin & his sister, my aunt & my uncle had to turn away or just take a short breather.

Unfortunately, I didn't know Chianne very well, but my heart & thoughts have been with the rest of the family all day.

Next week my family is going on vacation to Idaho & we will be driving past the point of the accident. That thought kept me awake last night.

During this summer season of vacation & fun...please remember to drive safely & pay attention to the road.

Below is a copy of the obituary posted in the Hermiston Herald on July 9, 2008



Chianne L. Griffin-Gaede

March 22, 1993-July 1, 2008

Chianne L. Griffin-Gaede, 15, who had just finished her freshman year at Riverside High School in Boardman, died July 1, 2008, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Her memorial service was scheduled at 2 p.m. today at the New Hope Community Church, 1350 S. Highway 395.

Chianne was born March 22, 1993 in Hermiston. She attended Stanfield Elementary School until the fifth grade, when she transferred to Sandstone Middle School in Hermiston, where she attended the sixth grade.

In 2005 Chianne moved to Tucson, Ariz., to live with her father and family. She attended Gridley Middle School in Tucson during 2005-2006. In the summer of 2006 she returned to Oregon and attended school in Boardman at Riverside Junior-Senior High School.

Chianne most recently had been a freshman at Stanfield High School, where she played volleyball, basketball and participated in cheerleading during the football season. In her free time, Chianne enjoyed spending time with family and friends, her pets, listening to music, watching movies, playing on the computer, photography, shopping, and playing sports. She also enjoyed riding horses with her sister Cierra, playing with twin sisters MacKenzie and Taylor and helping sister Alyssa with her homework.

Chianne also enjoyed spending time with her parents. She never missed an opportunity to be at the racetrack in Tucson, where her father raced cars, or go hiking with her stepmother. She also enjoyed riding horses, riding ATVs and soaking in Lehman Hot Springs with her mom and family. Chianne was a vivacious, energetic girl who loved to be the center of attention, learning new things, helping others and exploring the world. At every turn she never missed an opportunity to brighten a room.

Chianne was blessed with a gift to gab and had a great sense of humor that never failed to see the good in any situation.

Survivors include her mother, Teena Griffin, and sister Cierra Blankenship; father, Jerry, and stepmother, Teresa Gaede, and sisters Alyssa Gaede, Taylor Gaede, MacKenzie Gaede; grandparents William and Cindy Griffin, Nancy and Walt Hinz and Charles and Debbie Gaede; aunts Teresa Griffin, Casey Gaede Hinkley and Stacey Hinz; and uncles John Hinz and Rick Hinz. She also is survived by 12 cousins.

Chianne was preceded in death by her aunt, Shelley Lynn Gaede.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Chianne Griffin-Gaede Memorial Fund at U.S. Bank or to The Living Legacy Foundation 11245 S.E. Sixth St., Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.