Date of Birth:
Sunday, December 21, 1919
Date of Death:
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Age:
97 years old

Shirley Elaine Graham

Shirley Graham, a lifelong Rochester resident, passed away at Madonna Towers Skilled Nursing Facility on Saturday, Christmas Eve, just three days after her 97th birthday.

She was born here in 1919 to Henry and Thea (Harstad) Foley, the second of their three children.  She attended local schools, graduating from Rochester High School in 1937.  She married Lee Graham in 1941 and recently celebrated with him their 75th wedding anniversary.  They were charter members of St. Pius X Catholic Church, an affiliation they continued to maintain throughout the ensuing years.  Shirley was active in the Rosary Society there for many years.  As a young adult and again after her children reached school age, she worked part-time as a retail clerk at various apparel and footwear stores here, and she also served an extended term as an election judge.

Shirley enjoyed social activities and made many friends, especially through her participation in bowling leagues and numerous bridge clubs over the years.  She had a passion in particular for duplicate bridge, continuing to compete well into her nineties and distinguishing herself by her fiercely defensive approach to the game.  Together with Lee, she enjoyed spending time at their Mississippi River cabins, first at Sand Prairie and later at Lake City.

Shirley had a quick mind and an even quicker wit, regularly displaying her Irish sense of humor with a new joke or a funny story from her personal experience.  She thrived on competition, whether engaging in it herself or when following the sports teams of her children and grandchildren.  On TV, she followed the Twins, the Vikings and professional tennis.  She was a super fan.  She also relished competing in family games of Password, Pictionary, dominoes and various card games.

She loved chocolate candy, stylish clothes, TV game shows, lunch with her girlfriends at Michael’s restaurant, singing along at a piano bar and being Irish.  In 1984 she joyfully traveled to Ireland, where she toured castles and kissed the Blarney Stone.  Her other travels included attendance at 35 national bowling tournaments, and in 2012 the Southeast Minnesota USBC Bowling Association inducted her into their Hall of Fame as a leading pioneer.

But most of all, she loved and was loved by her friends and family, who will miss her deeply.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  By her example, she taught us how to lead a zestful life, maintain loyal relationships, commit to a point of view and laugh out loud.  Her presence in our midst was a priceless gift for which we remain ever grateful.

Her husband, Lee, survives, along with two daughters: Diane Graham (Bill Weir) of Woodbury, Sue Graham of Rochester; and one son, Jerry Graham (Bobbie) of Fifty Lakes.  Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Ryan Kulovitz, Lori Lawler Still, Brian Donlinger, Kate Lawler, Rav Graham, Dan Lawler, Jeremy Graham and Mallory Graham Arthun; and 10 great-grandchildren: Justin, Cora, Audrey, Brandon, Dempsey, Dylan, Braddock, Healy, Ethan and Logan.  She was preceded in death by a brother, Leo, and sister, Eleanor Colombo.

The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Madonna Towers Living Community for the positive relationships that grew over the last four years.  They also are grateful for the help provided by Visiting Angels.  They especially wish to thank the staff of Mayo Hospice Program and Palliative Care Service for their compassionate support in recent months.  Memorial gifts may be directed to Mayo Hospice Program, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN  55905, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Friday, December 30, 2016 at the Madonna Towers Chapel in Rochester with the Rev. Donald J. Schmitz officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass.  Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.