She was the sixth of seven children—2 boys and 5 girls—born to Earnest and Edith (Benedick) Graham. As a baby the family moved to a farm near Flagler, Colorado where she lived until 8 years old when her family moved to Las Animas, Colorado. This move was because Gene was very ill and a doctor there was doing exceptional work…he was able to cure Gene’s illness.
Gene graduated from elementary school in Las Animas and after her mother’s death in 1939 and her younger brother’s in 1935, she lived several other places with family members and friends returning to Las Animas where she graduated from Bent County High School in 1938. She attended college and did some extension work at CSCE (now the University of Northern Colorado) in Greeley, Colorado graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree and Life Certificate in Education. She also attended the University of Denver nights and summers graduating with a Master in Education degree. While attending the University of Denver, Gene was a member of Kappa Delta Pi (an Educational Honor Society).
She taught school in a one room country school and two years in consolidated schools.
Gene married Lynn R. Bishop July 7, 1942. They went through World War II and then settled in Denver where she taught in Denver Public Schools for 28 years—after two years at College View before it was annexed to Denver schools. She retired September 1, 1981.
Lynn and Gene had two children, Robert and Linda. Robert and his wife, Bonnie Korman, have one son, Jonah, and an adopted daughter, Maria who with her former husband, Shane, have two sons, Joshua and Adam. All are living in Taos, New Mexico. Linda and her former husband, Steve Befort, have one daughter, Kelly. Linda and Kelly live in Centennial, Colorado.
Gene joined Central Christian Church in 1987 where she was very active. She enjoyed playing bridge, was an avid reader, and was a Red Hat member. Gene also was a huge Broncos fan. She had been a member of KKI and ADK teacher social societies. Gene had many friends and loved to travel making several trips to Hawaii and one trip each to Alaska and Costa Rica.
She died on December 25, 2020 and was preceded in death by her parents, 6 brothers and sisters, several nieces and nephews and many friends. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.
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