Patricia GRAHAM

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GRAHAM: Patricia Marion, December 9, 1929 – November 2, 2018. On November 2nd, Patricia Graham passed away peacefully in Cochrane, Alberta. She was surrounded by friends, family and music as she slipped away. Pat was shaped by both the Great Depression and World War II growing up in Oak Lake, Manitoba. Scholarships allowed her to attend the University of Manitoba and she graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1950. In 1951 Pat married Gordon Graham, a young man she had met at the U of M, and the two went farming. As a “townie” Pat had a lot to learn about farming but over the years she adapted well and became a driving force behind their expanding enterprise. She kept the household, managed the books and became a mean combine operator as well. Pat was also busy off the farm. She was involved in the establishment of the Farm Women’s Network in Manitoba, was an enthusiastic supporter of the canola industry through the Canola Council of Canada and a long-time columnist for the agricultural publication Grainews writing on bookkeeping and farm business. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Telephone System advocating for better service for rural customers. In 1988 she was awarded the YWCA Distinguished Woman of the Year Award in Agriculture. After retirement Pat and Gord moved to Cochrane, Alberta where she became embedded in the community. When Gord fell ill Pat was devoted to his care and became a key member of the Bethany Family Council working to improve the environment for residents. Pat also recognized the benefits of warm water therapy for those suffering from Parkinson’s and other conditions. She became one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the new warm water therapy pool in Cochrane which formally opened in 2018. Pat was admired and loved by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by friends and her family, son Perry and daughter Nancy, their spouses Louise and Don and her wonderful five grandchildren, Morgan, Tom, Trish, Derek and Emma. The family wishes to formally recognize Pat’s neighbour, friend and “daughter”, Cathy Reid, for the exceptional care that she gave to Pat during the last months of her life. It was truly an act of love. Donations may be made to the Cochrane Warm Water Therapy Pool Society or the Cochrane Bethany Family Council. A joint Memorial Service for Pat and Gord will take place on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church (404 – 4th Avenue N., Cochrane). An Interment Ceremony will be held at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Brandon, Manitoba on December 8 at noon.Condolences may be forwarded through Cochrane Country Funeral Home cochranecountryfuneralhome.com Ph: 403-932-1039

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 10, 2018