Obituary of Annabelle Alice Graham

With deep sorrow the family announces Annabelle’s passing on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 shortly after her 98th birthday. Born on December 13, 1917, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Joseph, her sister Jean (George) Lamb, and her brother and sister, Rita and Bill Husband. Annabelle is survived by her five children, Jo-Anne (Leon) Lubin of Edmonton, Donald (Lynda) Graham, Malcolm Graham, Christine (Bruce) McConnell and Spencer (Joddy) Graham all of Regina; her nine grandchildren, Jody (John) Drope of Kelowna, Suzanne (Kevin) Polkosnik of Edmonton, Jim (Allison) Graham of Regina, Rod (Catherine) Graham of Calimesa, California, Andy Graham of Queensland, Australia, Heather (Greg) Irvine of Regina, Kendra (Aaron) Warner of Regina, Michael (Kyle) Lubin of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean and Joel Graham of Regina. As the matriarch of a close, supportive family she was known as GG (Great-Grandmother) to her eighteen great-grandchildren, each of whom is the recipient of one of her renown hand knit Roughrider dolls. Annabelle’s parents, Jemima and William Husband, emigrated from Scotland in the early 1900’s and settled in Regina where Annabelle attended Wetmore School before training as a milliner at Bertha Walker’s hat shop. Her love of hats and fashion endured throughout her life. Annabelle and Joseph were married in Vancouver in 1939 while Joe was serving in the air force. The couple moved to Winnipeg when Joe was transferred and, then, returned to Regina when the war ended. During her years as a homemaker, Annabelle was actively involved in her community as a member of the local chapter of the IODE, an active member of the Lakeview United Church congregation and a teacher of extension classes in millinery. At the age of 50 she returned to work in the fashion industry where, for the next 25 years she continued her lifelong affair with fashion, ultimately becoming one of the top saleswomen in Western Canada for a major fashion retailer. Her Scottish resilience served her well as she juggled workplace demands and nurtured a growing family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren through their triumphs and challenges. Annabelle was a loyal friend who never forgot birthdays or special occasions; many considered Annabelle their adopted sister or Mom and she didn’t disappoint. Throughout her life, she loved to escape to the family cottage at Last Mountain Lake where she enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, toasting marshmallows around the campfire and building rock retaining walls. If the business of life is the acquisition of memories, hardly a day will pass where Annabelle is not remembered, missed and loved by those whose lives she touched. Annabelle spent her last ten years at the Marian Chateau in Regina where she became known for her signature toffee, her love of bridge and her outgoing personality. Our sincere thanks to the staff and residents at the Marian Chateau and the Wascana Grace Hospice for their support and caring during Annabelle’s final days. We invite you to join the family as we celebrate a life well-lived at a Memorial Service at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Should you so wish, donations may be made, in memory of Annabelle, to the Salvation Army, Division Headquarters, 2240 13th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3M7.