Helen Kujawa Graham

Vibrant, independent, and young despite her years, Helen Barbara Kujawa Graham graduated to the kingdom of heaven on Dec. 15, 2023, after a recurrence of cancer. She was 93. Surrounded by her family, the loving mother of two, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother to one, died peacefully at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston – a few miles away from the home she resided in for more than 60 years.

Helen began her abundant life on July 22, 1930, on her family’s farm outside Reagan – a small central Texas town 50 miles from Waco. Her parents, Vincent and Magdalene (Knapik) Kujawa, were proud first-generation Polish Catholics who farmed the Brazos River area and grew cotton, grain, sorghum and corn. They raised Helen and her nine siblings, Leokadia “Lillian,” Louis, Raymond, Salome “Sally” (Sr. Magdalene), twin brother Clemens, Anthony, Joseph, Joan, and John. All but Joan and John preceded her in death.

In the 1950s, Helen ventured two hours southeast to the big city for professional opportunities. In Houston, she met the handsome William “Buddy” Graham who resided with his sisters, Ruth and Margie Graham. Buddy and Helen married in 1961 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and moved into their new home in southwest Houston after the April 1962 birth of their first child, Michael. Two years later, son Douglas was born.

While her husband and sons brought her much joy, her farm-bred work ethic compelled her to serve others as well – first as a volunteer and, later, in full-time employment with Bank One of Texas. She often regaled folks with stories of customers who insisted on seeing her to discuss their banking needs – even when others were available – and she was a favorite in the Westbury neighborhood branch.

For close to 60 years, Helen was a parishioner at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where she volunteered and later worked as secretary for the Continuing Christian Education program as well as for the parish vicar. She also was active in and served as treasurer, vice president, and president for the Beta Chi chapter of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha service sorority, known locally for its annual holiday fruitcake fundraiser benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

A widow at 56, Helen frequently cited her reason for never remarrying as “Once you’ve had the best, why would you want anything less?” Husband Buddy died in 1986, shortly after he met their first grandchild, Jessica, daughter of Michael and wife, Cynthia. Helen, ultimately, became a grandmother also to A.J., Michaela and Duncan; the latter is the son of Doug and his wife, Cathy. All survive Helen, along with great-grandson, Riggs; sister Joan Zaborowski; brother John Kujawa; brother-in-law Robert Graham and partner Jim McQueen; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Helen’s memorial mass will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, Dec. 27, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10330 Hillcroft St., Houston, Texas, 77096. A reception to celebrate her life will follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her honor to the charitable organization of your choice, Texas Children’s Hospital, or the Daughters of Charity – Province of St. Louis.