Obituary of Anna Graham

Anna L. Graham, 77, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 28, 2009 after a long illness. Mrs. Graham, also known as "Maa" to her friends and family was a a native of and lived in Poughkeepsie all her life. She was born on Sept. 13, 1931 to the late Irene Beesmer and Harold Van Leuven. On Nov. 13, 1950, she married Elmer G. Graham, "PaPa", a firefighter and mechanic for the Arlington Fire Department who predeceased her on Sept. 16, 1994. Anna or "Maa", was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and is survived by her four children plus one: Wendy Simmons and husband, Dudley; Cathy Connis and husband, Steve; Leslie Brusie, MD and husband, Bob; Harold "Dan" Graham and Wayne Simon and wife, Karen. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, Alyson, Darci, Gary, Pat, Mike, Lindsay, Stephen, Daniel, Ashleigh, Melissa, Scott and Logan and one great grandchild, Sasha. Anna is also survived by her five sisters, Mildred "Moo Moo" Bendix, Geraldine Roth, Nettie Farrier, Loretta Jenkins and Dorothy Witherwax. She was predeceased by her brother, Harold VanLeuven, Jr. There will be no calling hours. A brief service will be held on Thursday, July 2, at 1:30 pm graveside at the Union Cemetery, Hyde Park, NY. Donations in Anna's memory may be made to Hospice of Dutchess County or the Arlington Fire Department as they were both extremely kind and helpful during her illness. Arrangements under the direction of the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie.