Eleanor W. Graham

December 19, 1929 – July 23, 2025

Eleanor was born during the beginning of the Great Depression in Colorado Springs and lived in Colorado all her life – a true native. Her mother, Ethel, had a degree in education from the University of Denver, and her father, Andrew Waddington, with only an elementary school education, homesteaded in Fowler, Colorado. They moved to Colorado Springs to work the ticker tape, then back to Fowler when the depression hit where he became President of the bank. She was the youngest of three children with her brother Sando and sister Elaine.

She earned a B.S. in Home Economics at Colorado State University, and started her career as a Home Economics teacher in Lamar, Colorado, where she also met her future husband, a history teacher, Dale Graham. They married in 1953 and moved to Denver, then moved to Commerce City, Colorado with their three daughters: Judy, Karen and Sharon. She was a wonderful role model and taught her daughters many life lessons including sewing and cooking through a 4H club that she formed and led for many years. Through their school years, Eleanor drove her girls to endless band and cheerleading practices, activities, club meetings, etc., never complaining about the early morning drop offs.

Eleanor began teaching at Emily Griffith Opportunity School in the 1950’s in the Home Economics Department emphasizing sewing, tailoring, and later quilting. She earned a Master’s degree in Vocational Education at the University of Northern Colorado, including a trip to Europe to visit textile factories. She developed many close friends at “Op School” and continued working there part-time, then full-time, retiring in 1995.

After Dale retired, they took many trips: Branson, Alaska, California, Virginia and Florida. She and Dale then moved to Arvada where he passed in 2007. She and Judy took a wonderful trip across western Canada in 2008, then welcomed the first family dog, Ginger. Eleanor continued pursuing hobbies and interests in her retirement as described below:

Worked tirelessly for the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary where she constructed and hand-embroidered at least 30 bears for their fundraising Silent Auctions at their annual Doll Tea/Holiday Festivals.

She was very active in the Arvada United Methodist Church, and was very proud that her grandfather, Hosea Beardsley, was an earlier minister in the Old Towne location in the late 1800’s. She participated in the “Banner Committee” and made the “Hill and Vale” banner as well as helping with the Advent banners.

She loved her Forest Springs neighborhood and made many friends there, serving on the Social Committee.

She and Dale received a cabin near Woodland Park from her brother Sando in the 1960’s and enjoyed many happy summers together there.

She loved her daughters, two sons-in-law (Bob and Phil), 4 grandchildren (Matthew, Brian, Kara and Michael), and 3 great grandchildren.

She enjoyed china painting classes and left her daughters with many painted treasures.

She loved to quilt and left her daughters with many quilted treasures as well.

Eleanor was a wonderful wife and mother! We miss her…

Donations can be made to:

Arvada United Methodist Church

6750 Carr St Arvada, CO 80004

or Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary c/o Major Harriette Raihl PO Box 2369

Denver, CO 80201