Delma Linnell Graham born on August 11, 1915 in Moro, Oregon passed away on November 16, 2020 peacefully at Hospice of the Valley-Dobson Home. Needless to say; Delma lived a very full and abundant life. She was married to Robert Graham in June 1939. Delma and Robert had two children. Gary Robert Graham (his wife Barbara Jo Graham) and Barbara Gay Dugan (her husband Tom Dugan). Delma has a large family of grandchildren; great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Gary’s son is Scott Graham is married to Kathleen. They have 3 children in Tacoma, Washington and Alaska. Shawn Michael Simmons (35) who has two children, Ryan (15) and Leana (13); Robert Franklin Graham (29) and Duncan Claymore Graham (27). Bobbi has four children. Fran Schall who is married to Scott Schall. They have two children. James Dale Fryer (39) who has daughter Karly Lynn(13) and Samantha Tayler Schall (29) (s). Robert Huff who is married to JoAnna Huff. Kathleen Vassalli who is partnered with Julian Sandoval. She has three children. Richard James Northcott (30) who has a son Drew (5). Katherine Denise Vassalli-Lewis (23) and her husband Joshua Lewis and also Anthony Frank Vassalli. (19). Suzi Collins who is partnered with Don Czajkowski. She has two children. Sharon Renee Fritts (32) who is married to Matt Fritts and they have a son; Oliver Graham Fritts (2) and another on the way in January. Seth Allan Collins who is married to Kyndrah Collins and they have a son; Cooper Lee Collins (1).
Delma and Robert (Bob) moved to Arizona in the early 60’s. They settled in Tempe and enjoyed their friends as well as their love of ASU football. They enjoyed traveling together and refurbished a van to be able to camp on road trips. Sadly, in July 1980 on a road trip to Oregon; Bob suffered a heart attack and Grandma was widowed. She continued to work for Mesa Public Schools in the warehouse until her retirement in the 80s. She then spent her time volunteering at Scottsdale Osborn Hospital (now HonorHealth) and stayed there for 13 years.
Delma and Bob had always planned to travel the world; so by herself Delma went ahead and did multiple trips abroad with different groups and friends. She traveled all over the US, Europe and even Australia and New Zealand. She sold her home in Tempe in the mid 90’s and moved down the road from her son Gary until she was in her late 80’s. She then moved to the Towers in Mesa where she lived on the 10th floor. She made many friends there and enjoyed the social aspect. In 2000 she moved to Sun Lakes to the Renaissance Independent Living until this past July when she moved to her son’s home in Tempe. Her time at the Renaissance was very social and enjoyable for her as well as her family. She was well known in the pub and enjoyed her gin & tonic. We had many celebrations with her there as a family. She had many friends there and celebrated her 100th birthday with the residents. She also was a special guest of the Arizona Cardinals that year and they made her a custom jersey with 100 and even had her on the field for a practice where she met many of her favorite players. We have continued to celebrate each year that we have had with her beyond 100! Unfortunately; with COVID happening this year; her 105th wasn’t quite as elaborate though she was given hundreds of wishes on Facebook and had her favorite dinner at home that included a Zoom call with her family. She has been called the Facebook Grandma and has many followers that have watched her amazing life from afar and been in awe of her spunk! It is truly amazing to sit back and think about all the things that Delma as seen in her life. She embraced life with such joy and passion. We can all learn from her example.
Like all good things; Delma’s strength and tenacity came to a quiet end. Surrounded by family and friends; she spent her final days at Hospice of the Valley-Dobson Home. Our family is so sad to not have her here, but Hospice of the Valley made her final days peaceful and dignified. Exactly the way Grandma would have wanted it to be.
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