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Doris Rita Graham
Doris Rita Graham (nee Hayes), age 96, loving mother of four, and devoted wife to her late husband, John Henry Graham, passed away peacefully in the early hours of the 14th of October after living a long and cherished life. Doris was born in 1926 in Queens, New York City, where she grew up with strong family connections and Roman Catholic values. Vacations at Rockaway Beach, New York, with her mom and siblings, and at Budd Lake, New Jersey, with her cousins, were fondly remembered. She met her future husband, John (Jack) Henry Graham, on a combined fishing trip and blind date; they married in 1948. Doris and Jack’s young family of four lived at first in Long Island City (Borough of Queens), and then in Baldwin Harbor on Long Island, where they added a third son. In 1965 they moved to Delran, New Jersey, and added a fourth and final son. Doris had a deep love of God and was our Prayer Warrior. She led an active and independent life right up to her 96th birthday. She enjoyed Irish music, dancing, and strong neighborly bonds, as well as traveling with her husband, her friends the “Jersey Girls” and her sisters-in-law. And with all this, always a glass of wine, settling on Shiraz in her later years. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Doris is survived by her four sons John, Kevin (Diane), Jim (Sharon), and Robert (Diana), her grandchildren Megan, Kris, Kirsten, Lauren, Ian, and Neil, great grandchild Allison, and her beloved nieces and nephews. With sadness she passes from this world to be joyfully greeted by her late husband John and late daughter-in-law, Cathy, as well as countless friends and family welcoming her to Gods Eternal Kingdom.
Come celebrate 96 years on Sunday October 23, from 4pm-6pm and Monday October 24, from 8:30am-10:00am at Sweeney Funeral Home, 337 Bridgeboro Street, Riverside NJ. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10:30am at Resurrection Parish, (Holy Name site, Delran). Entombment Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson.
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So many wonderful memories with Doris from the time I met her at Seniors to her passing. The annual Christmas party at the nights where she took my hand and jitterbugged with me around the floor. I know she was in her 80’s but she had so much pep and energy. Always jumping in to help with setting up for meetings and whatever was needed. I remained friends with Doris most recent;y when she was confined home but they are some of my best memories. Visiting her at her house we would talk for hours and she would tell me all her wonderful memories from her childhood, to her marriage and children. She would tell me about her travels and all the places she visited and what she loved to do. I could go on and on I truly loved Doris and with all her ups and downs she always had a laugh and a smile. She would always love when I gave her a massage with her favorite cream. I was truly the one who was bless by spending time with her and I will miss her so much. She touched my heart with her love and I will forever be grateful for being in her life.
It is with deep sadness that I say goodbye to Mrs. Graham, as she will always be remembered by me. She was a force in my life for 60 years or so. Growing up in Baldwin, the Graham Family lived three doors down the block from us. Jim was my closest friend. After the family move to Delran, we kept our friendship alive, me visiting Jim in Delran, and he visiting me in Baldwin. My childhood, teen and adult years are full of vivid, powerful memories of our times and adventures together. A camping trip with Jim and Mr Graham to Sunfish Pond was a major inspiration for me as a young lad, and set in motion a trajectory that would influence my late teen and early adulthood. Years later, my wife, son and dogs lived with the Grahams in Delran as we found our footing. I can’t begin to catalogue the many memories I have, but I can say that I’ll never forget the kindness shown to me by Mr and Mrs Graham over decades. A few years ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of a telephone conversation with Doris. Her kindness, wisdom, and gentle humor as vibrant as ever. I regret not having a chance to share a glass of wine with her, but I will never forget her character, her laugh and mannerisms, and especially her kindness. May you rest in peace my dear Mrs. Graham.