Date of Birth: March 10, 1949
Date of Death: April 3, 2022
Shirley Diane Graham passed away peacefully with family by her side early Sunday morning, April 3, 2022. She was born in Willow Bunch, SK on March 10, 1949, the eldest child of Robert and Doris Radom (nee Moe).
Shirley grew up in Moose Jaw and spent time with her beloved Grandma Moe as often as possible. After completing her education in Regina where she earned her teaching diploma at the university, she married Allan Graham, the love of her life, in 1971 and they settled in Yorkton. Jodi was born a year later in 1972, followed by Shawn in 1974.
Shirley was a loving and hardworking wife and mother who cared for her husband and children devotedly through Allan’s lengthy challenge with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis until his passing in 1980. She then started teaching full-time and enjoyed a long career teaching grades one and three students the joy of reading only on days that end in ‘y’.
As a young woman, Shirley made her choice to serve God. Her love for God and fellowship kept her through some difficult years as a single mom. She had an abiding thankfulness for the mercy and kindness of God which only deepened through the varied experiences of life. The travel bug bit Shirley when she visited Jodi three times in the Sultanate of Oman and after her retirement she travelled to Ukraine, the Netherlands and numerous countries in West Africa several times for long visits. She kept in touch with her friends in various corners until her passing even though her five-year challenge with lung disease meant she became an armchair traveler instead.
The only role Shirley enjoyed more than those of Mom, friend and teacher was becoming ‘Nana’. She was keenly interested in what her five grandkids were up to and loved to visit with them all. Shirley enjoyed hosting family and close friends in her home where coffee and chocolate were at the ready. Guests knew where to find their favourite pottery mugs in her large collection. Whether reading, playing Scrabble or crokinole, doing large jigsaw puzzles in record time, puttering in her perennial beds or soaking up the sun on her patio, Shirley enjoyed the simple things in life. She taught her kids how to be thankful for having enough when it wasn’t much and to keep first things first even when it was costly. Her final lesson was accepting the loss of her independence so graciously through her hospital stay and showing her family the beauty in letting go of the things of time.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents and her husband Allan. She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children: Jodi Cobb (Jeff) of Fort Qu’Appelle and their girls, Merra and Nella; and Shawn Graham (Katherine) of Elbow and their children, Abigail (Shawn Puffalt), Brennan and Dillan. She also is remembered by her siblings, Bev Taylor (Gary), Rick Radom (Heather) and their children and families and Barb Fisher (Michael) and their children and families; as well as numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins and friends scattered around the world. Shirley and her family appreciated the kind care she received from family, friends and medical staff over the past weeks.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 from St. Mary’s Cultural Centre in Yorkton. Jack Reddekopp, Margaret Hanson, Holly Goldsmid and Shanae Clark led the service and Caroline Puffalt was the pianist. Hymns were ‘Moments of Blessing’, ‘Thanks to God for My Redeemer’. ‘Life’s Short Day’, and ‘Til Breaking of the Day’. Ushers were Jayden and Jolan Cobb, Ron Hermanson and Rocky Munro. Attending the guest register was Val Blades, Bonnie Cobb, Brenda Hermanson and Marlo Munro.
The interment followed in the Garden of St. Mark at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Brennan and Dillan Graham serving as the urnbearers.
Memorials were to the ALS Society. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com
