Kathy Graham was released from the struggles of this life on July 5th, 2017 at Regional West Medical Center, Scottsbluff, NE. The latest of these struggles was lung cancer, which she fought for 6 months.
Born Kathryn Frances Lyon on Oct. 31, 1952 in Ithaca, NY to George and Betty Lyon. On Dec. 22, 1974, she married William J. Graham, Jr and has gone by Kathryn Lyon Graham ever since. To this union was born a daughter, Elizabeth Lyon Graham on May 17, 1983.
Kathy was a teacher and taught in Philadelphia, PA, Sheridan County District 30, Box Butte County District 65J, 42 and 39 and Alliance Adult Basic Education before joining Alliance Public Schools in 1986. There she taught in the special education and math departments at the High School and Middle School. She retired in 2013 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Locally, she was active at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and with the Alliance Service Unit Girl Scouts. She was also a member of the Box Butte County Diabetes and Cancer Support Groups. The Alliance Community Choir was also a large part of her life. From 1982 to 2002, she worked with the Alliance Bike Ride serving on planning and support teams.
Beyond Alliance, she volunteered as a trainer for Girl Scouts of Guiding Star and Spirit of Nebraska Councils, BRAN (Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska) support staff (30 Years), Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska Youth programs and camps as well as the Women’s Ministry Board.
After retiring in 2013, she enjoyed quilting with St. John’s Piecemakers, Panhandle Quilt Guild and the All Day Sew group.
Survivors include her husband, Bill, daughter Beth (Brandon) Jastrzembski of Danvers, MA, brother Robert (Meredith) Lyon of Albany NY and sister, Maud Lyon of Philadelphia PA and honorary mother Vivian “Skip” Laube of Ithaca, NY.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Celebration of Life will be at the St. Matthew’s Episcopal church in Alliance on July 15th, 2017 at 11:00am with internment of ashes at St. Mary’s Holly in Rushville, NE at a later date. There will be a service at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Rushville, NE Saturday, July 8 at 2:00pm.
She requested that memorials be left to United Thank Offering, Episcopal Relief and Development, LION’s International Foundation, cancer research or other charity of the donor’s choice that will assist others. Please no memorial plaques left in her name and please no flowers.