JOSEPHINE (SUE) GRAHAM

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JOSEPHINE (SUE) GRAHAM Peacefully, after a lengthy illness, with her family by her side it is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Josephine (Sue) Graham, on Sunday afternoon, August 28, 2011 at the East Gate Lodge Personal Care Home in Beausejour at the age of 87 years. Remaining to forever cherish Sue's memory are, her husband of 66 years of marriage, Dick Graham; son, Dick Graham (Arlene); daughter Elaine (Paul) Heinl; grandchildren, Richard (Lucette), Steven (Brandy), Ian (Ashley), Erin (Rodney); great-grandchildren, Kyle, Shannon, Jasmin, Jillian, Evan; stepgrandchildren Arlene, Lloyd; stepgreat-grandchildren, Keegan, Hailey, Raven and Madison; stepgreat-great-grandchild Wesley and loving cat Harley. Mom always maintained contact with her extended family in England, particularly her special niece Beatrice (Ron) Bell and family, as well as many other loving nieces; nephews; family and friends, particularly their fantastic neighbours, Ken and the late Lyn Lindstrom. She was predeceased by her parents; all her siblings; as well as her infant great-granddaughter Lilly. Sue was born in Haverton Hill, England 87 years ago to James and Mary Ann Pratt. She was one of eight children who grew up helping out after school and on weekends at their parents' Pub. She joined the Royal Navy School of Photography as a WREN in 1943 and served until war's end in 1945. Sue's duties were to lie in the nose of British Bombers and photograph British and Canadian gun sites as well as camouflaged areas to identify faults. It was in 1943 she met the love of her life, a wounded Canadian soldier, Richard Graham, who was back in England convalescing from wounds he received while fighting in Italy. When he introduced himself as Dick Graham, Mom said she was Josephine Wilkinson Pratt. Dad immediately said, I'll call you Susie, and that was the beginning. They married in England and Dick brought his beautiful English war bride back to London, Ontario to meet his family. They raised their children, Dick and Elaine, while Dad worked as a policeman for 33 years. After obtaining a cosmetology license, Mom worked at London Centre Drugs until she later became a partner in the business. Her and Dad both retired in 1978, and moved to Beausejour to be closer to their two children who had moved to Manitoba to follow their careers in the RCMP and nursing. Missing the drugstore business, Sue worked at the Beausejour Western Drug Mart until her final retirement. Mom was devoted to her family, providing them with many gourmet meals, her favorite hobby being cooking. Before Sue's illness, there wasn't a single family member, including grandchildren, that she didn't knit socks, sweaters, scarves, mittens or curling sweaters for. She was an avid sports enthusiast. Mom loved the Toronto Blue Jays and was a loyal Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan. Her 55 inch high definition television was basically dedicated to the sports channels, whether it be baseball, football, curling, Olympics, etc. Our memorable trips to the cottage as well as trips to England and Scotland will be forever in our memories. In our families' minds, God surely broke the mold after creating our Mom. We could not imagine a more loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great- great-grandmother than our Mom. On Tuesday, September 6, 2011 a Celebration of Susie's Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Brokenhead River Community Hall, 320 Veterans Way, Beausejour, MB. Thank you cannot begin to express the family's gratitude to the staff at East Gate Personal Care Home and the Beausejour Hospital for their wonderful care of Mom, and their kindness and compassion to us. Special thanks are extended to Sue's family physician, Dr. D. Schmidt, who she thought the world of. In her senior years mom was blessed with wonderful support to live in her own home, and we would especially like to thank her very kind and caring cleaning person Sarah, her home care worker Tracy and her personal hairdresser Kathy. In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, donations may be made in Sue's memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg (www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca) (204) 982-2021. We will never forget you, Mom. You will be forever in our hearts, and we will always live up to the values you instilled in us. Please watch us from above, and we will all join you as a family again when God calls us home. You were always there When we needed you No task was too great or small With a loving heart and willing hands For us you did them all

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2011