- Helen Elizabeth Crayne Graham
Birth: Sep. 1, 1922
Echo
Umatilla County
Oregon, USA
Death: Jun. 8, 2007
Pacific
King County
Washington, USA
Just before midnight on Friday, June 8, 2007, the unwanted visitor at every birth, overtook Helen Graham after a full life of joy and accomplishment. She was born at home,on September 1, 1922, in Reith, OR, a small railroading town in North Eastern Oregon. She was the fifth and youngest daughter of Sherm Crayne and Mable Hutchens. Helen graduated from Oregon City High School in 1940. She joined the U.S.O. during the war. Helen marrried a neighbor boy, Clinton Graham, in 1946 after he returned home from the war. They were married over 53 years until Clinton passed on in 1999. After raising her family she returned to work first setting up the adult education program for the Kent School District, then moving to heavy construction working for "Brown & Root". Among the many projects she worked on was the pumping stations for the Alaskan North Slope. She and Clinton retired to Pacific in 1989 to the comfortable home they built in the White River Estates addition. She loved driving, especially long road trips, sewing and sunny days. Following her aunt's example, she joined the new Pacific City Government becoming active in the politics and serving on the Civil Service Commission until she drew her last breath. She helped establish and grow the Pacific Community Church, serving as Treasurer. She loved sewing and kept at it even though the material became very difficult to see and manipulate. Her last effort was sewing quilts and knitting scarves for the soldiers overseas with her friends at the Senior Center. She is survived and deeply missed by sons Rod, Dennis, and Jeff, and daughter Wendy; grandchildren (who called her Babba) Alisha, Michael, Megan, and Jess; nephews Mike, Timothy, Donald, and John; nieces Susan and Debbie; brother-in-law Raymond and his wife Linda; and extended family and friends. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Helen's name to Pacific-Algona Senior Center, 100-3rd Ave SE, Pacific, WA 98047, Help Northwest, P.O. Box 77, Pacific, WA 98047, or Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105.
Family links:
Parents:
John Sherman Crayne (1886 - 1942)
M. Mable Hutchens Crayne (1888 - 1962)
Spouse:
Clinton Clifford Graham (1912 - 1999)
Children:
Wendy Lee Graham (1954 - 2007)*
Siblings:
Walter Martin Crayne (1908 - 1988)*
Oscar Orian Crayne (1910 - 1926)*
Harlene Marjorie Crayne Buchholz (1914 - 1984)*
John S Crayne (1918 - 1957)*
Helen Elizabeth Crayne Graham (1922 - 2007)
Gene Rogers Crayne (1926 - 1926)*
*Calculated relationship
Burial:
Hillcrest Burial Park
Kent
King County
Washington, USA
Created by: Jeff Duffield
Record added: Jun 20, 2007
Find A Grave Memorial# 19991614
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1922 - 2007 (84 years)
