KATHRYN JEAN GRAHAM
1932 – 2022
On Sunday, March 6, 2022, Kathryn Jean (Macdonald) Graham,
90, passed away peacefully in St. Martha’s Regional
Hospital, Antigonish. Kathryn was born in Halifax on Feb.
24, 1932 to Harry Alford MacDonald from Gabarus, Cape Breton and Jean
(Fraser) MacDonald of Smith Falls, Ont.
Kathryn grew up in Halifax and at the family cottage in
Hubbards with younger sister Gwendolyn “Gwen”. She graduated
from Queen Elizabeth High School and Mount Allison University in
Commercial Arts. Her first job was at the Dalhousie
Registrar’s Office and during that time she met Jim
Mackenzie Graham of Hazel Hill, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, the
man she would eventually marry.
Kathryn’s adventurous spirit took her on working
periods in London, England where she was employed with the Pearl and
Dean Company for a year and then on to New York City for a few
months. However, Halifax and Jim beckoned and in 1957 she
returned and reconnected with him, subsequently marrying at the family
home in Halifax the following year.
Shortly afterwards they moved to Utah, USA where Jim had
secured a position with Bestwall Gypsum, later to become Georgia
Pacific Corp. While in Utah, their only child, Jock, was
born. After several years abroad Jim accepted a position
with Georgia Pacific, Cape Breton and they made their home in Port
Hawkesbury ever since.
Kathryn and Jim made many lifelong friends in Port Hawkesbury
and loved to entertain and host many dinners and social
gatherings. Kathryn was an active member of St.
Mark’s United Church where she served as Treasurer for many
years. She also volunteered as Secretary and Board member
for a number of years with the local Food Bank. More recently she was
a founding member of Grandmothers for Africa, helping to raise funds
for Grandmothers in Africa who are raising their grandchildren because
their parents have died from HIV/AIDS.
Kathryn loved to play bridge and enjoyed weekly games. She
was much appreciated by her friends who enjoyed her sense of humor,
her kindness and thoughtfulness, never forgetting a friend’s
birthday or a chance to donate to charitable causes.
Kathryn was predeceased by her husband, Jim, in 2016 as well
as her sister, Gwen (MacDonald) Slipp, in 2018.
Kathryn is survived by her son Jock and his fiancé
Minna Kemppainen, Dubai, her Grandaughter Dana, whom she adored, and
former daughter-in-law Amal Azmany, both of whom live in Italy, as
well as three nephews, Greg (St. Louis, MO), Harry (Heather Marshall)
and Stephen (Maria Medioli), both of Halifax, NS, and a niece, Heather
(Robert Johnson), Ottawa, ON.
Special thanks to Kathryn’s longtime friend,
Annabel Butts, for her devoted friendship over many years, to Shirley
Hartery who was always nearby providing companionship, to Jean Wilson
for picking up her mail every week for several years, to Bob Meisner
for helping with the property and to caregivers Evelyn MacEachern,
Deidre Fougere and Jeanette Kiley who made her final years at home so
much easier.
In the latter year of her life, Kathryn was a resident at the
RK MacDonald Nursing Home in Antigonish, Nova Scotia where she enjoyed
the company and kindness of the wonderful staff and fellow
residents.
There will be no funeral service, but a celebration of life
will be held at the Hartery residence at 92 Prince St., Port
Hawkesbury on Saturday March 19th from 1 to 4
PM. Please bring your stories and thoughts of Kathryn with
you to celebrate and share. Please note that current Covid protocols
will be in effect.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Marks United
Church; 504 Bernard Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS, B9A 2V2 or the Feed
Nova Scotia Food Bank; 514 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury, Nova
Scotia B9A 2M9.
Arrangements are under the care of Dennis Haverstock Funeral
Home, Port Hawkesbury, Words of comfort may be forwarded to
the family at www.haverstocks.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kathryn Jean Graham 1932 2022..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Guysborough, Province: Nova Scotia