Obituary of Shirley Diane Graham

Please click here to see an edited version of the recording from Shirley's funeral service. 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 & 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 1971and 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. Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of Saskatchewan. Service Details. Service When: Saturday, April 9th, 2022 1:30pm Location: St. Mary's Cultural Centre Address: 240 Wellington YORKTON, SK S3N 4B3 Interment Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Shirley Graham March 10, 1949 - April 3, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book