Hannah Graff

With my passing there may be mixed feelings. There may be sorrow or anger but to those who know me, know that I’m at peace. Although I’m gone, I have never left. Although I cannot speak or be seen, I can listen and I can be heard. So as you stand in a vast forest, gazing at the stars remember me. Remember me in your heart and in your thoughts. Remember the memories of the times we loved and shared. For if you always think of me, I will have never gone.

As with everyone, there are many stories we can share regarding our time with them. How they influenced our life and the memories shared. But as we look back over one’s life we can sometimes notice a thread or theme behind who they are, what the loved, what made them laugh and the legacy they wanted to leave behind. There is more to someone’s life than just what is printed in the obituary.

It all began on August 27, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. Hannah was born and raised in Chicago and her parent owned a hat store at the time. Fashion was the focus and a hat was always a necessity. Around the age of 12, Hannah’s responsibility was to keep the books for the family business. At the age of 18, she had hopes and dreams like every young woman. Here dreams just happened to be focused around Paul Graff. I’m sure that Paul’s expression or words to Hannah at that time would have been words similar to the words in Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cinderella, where the prince asks “Do I love you because you’re beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love you?”

They were married on November 9th and have been married for 69 years.

Barbara de Angelis once said “Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible - it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could.”

So you might ask, what did she love. Well, it’s evident that she loved her family. It started with Paul and it extends to Jim and Sue Ellen.

There were other things that Hannah loved too. She loved cross-stitching. You can tell by the many different designs or pictures that she had Paul hang up in the home. She love a good joke and to see the smiles on Paul and Jim’s face. She loved watching Police TV shows. That’s why there are so many TV’s in the house, so Paul can watch what he wants. She loved bowling and was on 3 different Leagues one time. She loved playing Bridge with her friends and going to lunch afterwards. Back when she worked, on her days off she loved taking her son to Wrigley Field so he could catch foul balls. It didn’t take a lot to make her happy. She realized it was the little moments that she had to spend with each of you that she truly loved.

George Washington Carver expressed one principle of truth that Hannah lived by. In his words, he said “It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success.”

Hannah also worked in the Insurance business and decided to retire just about the time Paul. Then later she joined with her husband in working for Meals on Wheels. There was a sense of joy and accomplishment that came with that service.

You might wonder, how did Paul and Hannah end up here in Arizona all the way from Chicago. Well, they like so many others get tired of the snow. They tried Florida but it was too humid. They tried Louisiana and that seemed a little bit better but not really, what they work looking for. So they decided to head to California. On the way they heard of a place called Sun City and decided to check it out. They found out that here in the Valley of the Sun, there are 3 seasons; hot, really hot and are you freaking kidding me! Regardless of the weather, in 1993 they found something comfortable here, when back to Chicago and sold their place and the rest is history.

Hannah was not one who love to travel a lot. If the distance was more than 300 miles, she looking for a hotel so she could stop, relax and stay the night. There was no such thing as driving straight through. So if she traveled, she usually flew.

Each individual is blessed with different skills and talents. As for Hannah she had many but one thing she was good at was organizing. She was able to keep things together and things flowed. She also made lists. List were her way of keeping things organized. She made the list and she stuck to the list. Finish one thing and move on to the next.

In talking with Paul, I asked him what if anything would have been her legacy, what she wanted to leave behind. The one thing she wanted to be remembered for. Without hesitation, he mentioned their son, Jim. Jim was her legacy. She was never so proud than being a mother. She realized that all her nurturing, guiding, encouraging, and love gave her a son she was proud of.

For some time now, Hannah has been battling cancer. Cancer is not kind and it has no respecter of person. She dealt with it the best she could. There were good days and bad day. We all have them. Sometimes people know sometimes they don’t. At times, we can put on a good front and yet there are times we want to give up. On February 21st Hannah passed away.

Washington Irving said, “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of over whelming grief…and unspeakable love.”

Hannah had many favorite sayings. Probably the one that Paul remembers most of all was “Stop That”. I’m sure if she was here today her she’d tell you to stop that. It will be okay. Be of good cheer. Focus on the positive things of life and move forward.

Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world, which he has created according to his will.

May He establish his Kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire house of Israel, speedily and soon; and say Amen

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world, and say Amen

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and all of Israel, and say Amen

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say Amen