It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Marlys June Graham (Coates) – a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, wife and friend to all those she touched. She died on Oct 28, 2019 at the Berwick Royal Oak in Victoria, BC.
Mom was born on June 7, 1929 in Nashua, Iowa to Myrtle (Bennett) and Dale Coates. Marlys, and her twin sister Marilyn, were the youngest of seven children, originally living on the family farm and then moving into the town of Nashua. She remembers much from these years and would recount wonderful experiences from her early life.
She married James (Jim) R. Graham on January 9, 1949 and then moved to southern Alberta as the wife of a dry-land farmer. In 1962, they left the farm and moved the family to Lethbridge, then retired to Surrey BC in 1985. Jim died on Sep 13, 1999 and she lived independently since.
She is survived by her twin sister, Marilyn Myall; her three children, Jamie Torry, Sheila (Don) Strauch, and Derek Graham (Terri); grandchildren Alicia (Jon) Mossing, Tracy (Riley) Strauch, Angela (Dan) Heinrich Torry, Andrew (Lisa) Torry, Megan (Mike) Torry, Emma Graham, Sally Graham; and great-granddaughters Arianna and Isabelle Mossing and great-grandson Dante S. Torry. She has many Canadian and American relatives as well and always enjoyed hearing from them.
Mom made many friends in Warner, Lethbridge, Whitefish Montana, and then Surrey BC. Too many to name here but she cherished and had memories of everyone and loved to stay in touch. Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling and often loaded all the family into the car and drove to Nashua to enjoy memorable holidays. She loved gardening and took pride in growing wonderful flowers and vegetables. She made delicious home-made buns, breads and pies. Her American English influenced her pronunciation and the family would laugh when she had to “warsh” the clothes or take a trip south to “Missoura”. She always kept a spotless home and is remembered for her abundant use of the vacuum cleaner to collect every particle of dirt. Mom enjoyed playing bridge with friends and would relish those times when she got the top score. Golf was also her passion continuing to play to 2018 when she got a hole in one at age 89. She was like the Energizer Bunny – she just kept going and going until she just couldn’t anymore.
Her last few months of life were spent with visits from all of her immediate family and many of her close friends. Many coming far distances that expressed how much she meant to them and for this we know she is so thankful. A wonderful friendship was made with Phyllis Hoffman at the Berwick Royal Oak and they had many good times together. She left this life knowing she was greatly loved and admired. Now she can rest in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The children will be planning a trip to Nashua in 2020 to inter her remains at the family plot.
Many thanks to Dr. Rosenberg and his staff, and the Royal Oak Berwick staff for being so helpful these past months.
We request those who wish to make a donation in Mom’s name to the Cancer Research Foundation, or any other organization doing research on brain tumors and cancer. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Marlys June Graham June 7 1929 October 28 2019..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique