Mrs. Mary Lou Graham, 89, a resident of the Masonic Care Commu-nity in Utica, formerly of North Utica and Old Forge, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2011, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, with her loving family by her side.
Mary Lou was born in Utica on August 10, 1921, the daughter of the late Frank J. and Dorothy (Milgate) Colwell.
She was raised in Utica, was a graduate of Utica Free Academy, class of 1939, and the Excelsior School of Business.
On January 12, 1943, Mary Lou married Walter J. Graham at Blessed Sacrament Church in Utica, a loving and devoted union of 68 years.
During World War II, she was employed with Rhoads Hospital in Utica, later with Utica Mutual Insurance Company and for 10 years as a personal secretary to Monsignor Gallagher at St. Francis de Sales School.
For 35 years, Mary Lou was a devout member of St. Peter’s Church in North Utica and also a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church in Old Forge.
She was a former member of the Altar Rosary Society at St. Peter’s Church and St. Francis de Sales Church.
Mary Lou was an avid bridge player and enjoyed reading and taking walks with her husband, Walter.
Mrs. Graham is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Walter; four loving children, Marilyn Graham of Utica and Old Forge, Sheila and Jack Mineo of Whitesboro, Stephen Graham of Utica and Old Forge, and Michael and Maryann Graham of Utica;
Six cherished grandchildren, Stephanie (Raymond) Randall, James (Carrie) Mineo, Christopher Mineo, Robert Mineo, Erin (Justin) Nackley and Kayla Graham;
Five adored great-grandchildren, Kristopher Jones, Mac-Kenzie Kelly, Joshua Richard Graham Kelly, Jack Mineo and Bria Nackley;
A brother-in-law, Jeremiah Mahoney of Utica;
And several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her four sisters, Shirley Roth, Elizabeth Price, Phyllis Colwell and Kathryn Mahoney, and a brother, Donald (Bud) Colwell.
Mrs. Graham’s funeral will be held on Friday, June 24 at 9:15 a.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica, and 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, where her mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by her cousin, Rev. George Wurz.
Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro.
Those wishing to make a donation in Mary Lou’s memory, please consider The American Heart and Stroke Association, Central Association For the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. T
The family would like to pay special thanks to the entire staff of the Masonic Care Facility, especially the Saranac Neighbor-hood where Mary Lou resided and received excellent and loving care from all of her caregivers.
We would also like to thank the staff of the Intensive Care Unit and Floor 3C at St. Elizabeth Medical Center for their excellent care in her last days. online guestbook and messages of sympathy at www.heintzfuneralservice.net.
