Noël Wilson McGraw

Noël McGraw passed away on February 23rd after a heroic six month battle with pancreatic cancer. Cancer took her life, but it never took her spirit, her love for family and friends, her smile, nor her hopes.

Noël was born in Syracuse, NY, to William and Eleanor Wilson and grew up in central NY. She graduated from Central Tech High School, earned a bachelors degree in Education from the State University of NY at Oswego and earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Syracuse University. She taught first grade and Kindergarten in the NSCS during the 1970s.

In 1971 she married Michael McGraw and in 1978 they settled in Plano, TX, where they began their family with the births of their children Jennie and Chris. In 1984 they relocated to Long Island, NY, where they welcomed their third child, Jeremy, before settling in Austin, TX in 1990.

Noël was a wife, mother, teacher and an avid lover of music. She worked with children both in and out of the classroom for over forty years. She was the Director of the JoySingers Children’s Choir at Bethany United Methodist Church for 18 years. Most recently she was a preschool teacher at St. Thomas More Preschool and she also taught piano lessons. For the last five years she had offered a summer art and music program for children with her dear friend Colette. Her love of Celtic music was expressed by her mastery of the harp of which she owned three. She also played other several instruments: piano, guitar and hammered dulcimer and sang.

She is survived by her husband, Michael F. McGraw and her daughter Jennie (Clint) Tidwell and sons Christopher and Jeremy McGraw, her brother William (Jeanni) Wilson, nieces Amy (Michael) Garofalo, Kristin Botwinick and nephew Bill Wilson.

Noël was overwhelmed by the caring, thoughtfulness and love shown to her throughout her illness by her wonderful family, friends and colleagues. Their prayers, cards, cranes and visits meant the world to her.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Hellerstedt, Lisa Painter, Dr. Sperling and the 2nd floor nurses and staff at Texas Oncology, especially Susie, Rachel, Pat & Kris. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Lustgarten Foundation. You can also visit www.noelmcgraw.com

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010 at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hill Funeral Home in Austin. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin. Burial will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

Please join our family in honoring Noël by visiting our Memorial at www.cook-walden.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750, (512) 335-1155.