Florence Mae Graham

Florence Mae Graham passed away on February 11, 2015. Florence was born on November 15, 1927 in Wapato, WA to Jess Lin John and Hannah (Miller) John. She attended schools in Toppenish and Wapato graduating in 1945.

Later that year she met Ralph Coburn Graham, the love of her life, at a dance in Toppenish. They were married on August 17, 1946. They spent almost 60 years together and loved to swing on the dance floor as well as on the golf course. They spent several retirement years RV’ing around the United States and Canada.

Florence was especially at home as a homemaker and mother. She was an excellent seamstress and through the years took great pride in outfitting herself and her two daughters in the latest fashions including their prom and wedding dresses. During the polyester knit era she also made suits for her husband Ralph. She loved to knit, crochet, and quilt and made numerous sweaters, doilies, and quilts through the years for her family. For several years she worked as a seamstress at Lou Johnson in Yakima. Gardening was another of her passions and she loved a well kept yard full of beautiful flowers. She was also known for her apple and blackberry pies which will be greatly missed by her family.

Through the early years with her family, she enjoyed many summer vacations at Lake Wilderness, weekend camping trips, and then with teenage daughters and their friends waterskiing trips to O’Sullivan. She loved visits to the Washington beaches and for the last several summers she traveled with family to Westport. There she enjoyed beach combing with her two great granddaughters and delighted in watching them enjoy the beach as much as she did.

Florence was a member of the Women of the Moose where she held many chair positions and received their honorary degree in 1966. Since 1969 she was also a member at Suntides Golf Course and over the years scored ‘hole in ones’ three times. For over 50 years she was a member of the Yakima Bowling Association and participated in many state tournaments.

For the last several years she renewed old friendships from her golfing and bowling days by meeting to play pinochle twice a week and bridge occasionally. She also enjoyed bingo.

Florence is survived by her two daughters, Sheila (Bix) Rosenkranz of Okanogan and Sharon (Darryl) Scully of Ellensburg; four grandchildren, Josh (Rashell) Rosenkranz of Ellensburg, Jaime Rosenkranz of Carnation, Sara Scully of Moxee, and Logan Scully of Ellensburg; three great grandchildren, Colin Grier of Ellensburg, Abigail Scully of Moxee, Della Rosenkranz of Ellensburg; three sisters, Barbara (Don) Shaver, Jessie Graham, Evelyn (Ray) Martin all of Yakima; and many nieces and nephews.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Betty Blackorby and Barbara Chamberlain, and her brother Eugene John.

Dearest Mom,

Thanks for all the years of love and care. You will be remembered for being the loving center of our family and making holidays and family events so much more special. Your organizational skills and attention to details will be missed by the two of us. You will forever be in our hearts and so dear in our memories. May you meet up with Dad and enjoy one last dance.

We love you, Sheila and Sharon

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks and gratitude to her special friends and neighbors LaDonna and Bob Schoengarth who were always there for Florence.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2015 at Keith and Keith Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17 at Keith and Keith Funeral Home with burial following at West Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Terrace Heights Community Presbyterian Church, 4303 Maple Ct, Yakima 98901

Arrangements under the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.