Master in Chancery Patricia W. Griffin, the first woman to serve as a presiding judge for a branch of Delaware’s courts, retired Thursday after nearly three decades with the Delaware judiciary.

Griffin, who has sat on the Court of Chancery for five years following 12 years as chief magistrate judge and another 12 as state court administrator, has reportedly agreed to continue serving part-time on retired status, focusing on guardianship matters until a replacement master of Chancery for Sussex County is appointed.