Marion Barrows Graham

The second of three daughters of Thomas Arthur and Alma Josephson Barrows of Mansfield Center Connecticut, Marion was born February 1, 1924. She graduated from Windham High School and the University of Connecticut. On September 4 1948 she married Thomas William Graham Jr. She became the mother of their three children, Peter, Pamela, and Sarah. Friends from high school days on, Marion and Bill were husband and wife for over 69 years, until Bill’s death on January 6 2018.

Marion’s family had lived in Mansfield since the 1630s, and she began married life not far away, in Bill’s hometown of South Coventry; but they left Connecticut when Bill’s career with Aetna Insurance Company took him to Richmond Virginia and then to Jacksonville Florida. Marion bloomed in each new place where she was planted. After Bill retired in 1983, the two of them chose to set forth on a new adventure. Wanting to live close to the mountains but also within reach of the ocean, they moved to Hickory NC, a place hitherto unknown to them. Hickory soon became home, with a sustaining web of friendships, volunteer activities, and outdoor adventures. In Hickory, Marion sang alto in the First Presbyterian choir. She helped children learn to read in the Longview School Host Program and to experience nature at the Science Center. She cherished her Mountain View house and especially its gardens and woodland, where she and Bill naturalized colonies of wildflowers.

Marion and Bill moved to Sink Lane in the Village at Abernethy Laurels in 2007. For the next decade Marion, with her outgoing spirit, was at the heart of social activities, most notably during her tenure welcoming newcomers as biography gatherer for the community directory. She also served on numerous Abernethy committees and, with Bill, took charge of the Splash Cart at the clinic. Marion was devoted to her new church, Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ in Conover. She continued to care deeply for the momentary and enduring things that brought joy throughout her life and made a radiant smile her characteristic facial expression. Among other things she loved music, birds, trees, flowers, garden vegetables, and a well-run kitchen. Her source of pride was her family: her loyal partner Bill and the younger generations of their clan.

Along with Bill, Marion’s parents and older sister Elinor preceded her in death. She is survived by her younger sister Beverly; her three children and daughter in law Kaye; seven grandchildren, Austin, Kaitlin, James, Emily, Evan, Tessa, and Travis; and seven great-grandchildren, Clark, Adeline, Audrey, August, Owen, Elliott, and Eleanor. Marion’s family deeply appreciates the warm and compassionate care she, like Bill before her, received at her life’s end in the Harmony Wing of North Manor.

There will be a memorial service at Abernethy Laurels at a later date.