Althea Mcgraw

Althea B. McGraw, 83, died at 11:18 p.m. July 8, 2009, at Lima Manor Nursing Home. She was born June 4, 1926, in Arlington, Mass., to John and Margaret Martin Coyne, who preceded her in death. On April 7, 1951, she married Robert J. McGraw, who survives in Lima. Mrs. McGraw had her husband raised seven children together. She was a 1946 graduate of St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing, Boston. She moved to Lima in 1948, where she worked as a registered nurse at St. Rita?s Hospital. She was a member of St. Gerard Catholic Church and its Altar Rosary Society. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines. She served 25 years with the Right to Life of Lima and Allen County, including terms as secretary and editor of the newsletter. She was a passionate advocate for the unborn. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an accomplished pianist and loved to play for family and friends. She often lent her talents to church and civic celebrations. She was an avid reader, enjoyed a good crossword puzzle, playing bridge and penned many a poem over the years. A proud Irish woman, she enjoyed a good laugh, good friends and all of the old Irish tunes. Survivors also include three daughters, Christine (James) Brado, of Springfield, Va., and Kathleen ?Kathy? McGraw and Mary Pat (Edward) Helvey, both of Westerville; four sons, Thomas (Kathleen) McGraw, of Elida, John McGraw, of Lima, Brian (Karen) McGraw, of Winter Springs, Fla., and Philip McGraw, of Lima; and 10 grandchildren, Matthew Brado, Katie Brado, Ryan McGraw, Kevin McGraw, Alex (Alison) McGraw, Elaine McGraw, Daniel McGraw, Michael McGraw, Andrew Helvey and Megan Helvey. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Coyne, Pauline Lynch and Virginia O?Connor; and four brothers, Raymond, Robert, John and Garrett Coyne. Friends may call Sunday, July 12 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home where a parish wake service will begin at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Gerard Catholic Church. Father Joy Poonoly will officiate. Interment will be in Gethsemani Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Right to Life of Lima and Allen County, P.O. Box 417, Lima, OH 45802. The family would like to thank Lima Manor Nursing Home for the care and comfort they provided in her final days. The children would also like to thank their father for his tireless display of love and devotion to his wife. Always at her side, he put a smile on her face to the very end. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.