Mabel Helene Graham

at the age of 90.

She was born on May 29, 1934, in Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada, growing up in the country where she helped her mother run a small store in the front of their house. She married Donald Graham in 1953 and moved to Toronto for a brief time before moving to Lansing, MI (which she loved), and eventually settling in St. Anthony Village, Northeast Minneapolis. Mabel was employed by Murphy Warehouse for many years until retiring to Florida in 1997.

While in Florida, Mabel learned to play Mah Jongg and was actively involved playing 3-4 days a week, as well as going to Mah Jongg tournaments and cruises. She learned to crochet in the early 2000's while waiting for her husband Don's cancer treatments at Moffit Cancer Center, spending many hours making hats to give away to patients she met there. She expanded this to crocheting hats/scarves, blankets and baby blankets for many organizations including Ronald McDonald House, Knitters for Charity, Project Linus, High Risk Hope, The Shepherd Center and Dana's Angels. She continued to crochet and give away hats and scarves to many of the staff in the hospital and rehab centers she spent time in, right up until the end! In her younger years, she enjoyed camping, fishing and the great outdoors. While living in Minnesota, she made beautiful quilts, as well as taught China Painting. A very talented lady!

Mabel very much enjoyed living with her "kids" (Dave and Dee) the past 5 years, first in the condo and later in her "suite" at the Tarpon house. It was such a blessing to spend time together, baking (passing down her special recipes - Scottish shortbread, bran muffins, lemon pie ++), visiting, crocheting and watching Lightning Hockey games! She loved living here and we loved having her here! It was especially comforting to know she was loved, cared for and was not alone.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leon Laurin and Mabel Ann (nee Harley) Karam, her husband Donald David Graham; her son, Kenneth Albert Graham and her brother, William Laurin.

She is survived by her son, David Graham (Adrienne) Tarpon Springs, FL; daughter-in-law, Eleda Graham; grandson, Matthew Corwin Graham (Veronica) and her very special great grandchildren,

Margaret Mabel Graham and Grady Kenneth Graham, Round Rock, TX. She so loved her family!

We want to thank Mabel's beautiful friends who supported and encouraged her with calls, cards, Facebook messages and texts! She always appreciated hearing from you, although she couldn't always respond. A very special thank you to her childhood friend, Laura Shannon, who was a constant in her life. Mabel always considered Laura, George and the kids family! She loved you all!

The family would like to thank the staff at Solaris Healthcare for the care and compassion they showed Mabel in her final days. Also, we would like to thank Dr. Deepa Subramanian and her wonderful staff, who took such excellent care of Mabel for the past 3 years, always with genuine concern, compassion and knowledge!

A Celebration of Life is being planned for a future date. Please contact David for more information, email: [email protected]