Methuen, MA- Marion Rita (Chateauneuf) Graham, 98, died suddenly and peacefully, Wednesday, February 16th 2011 at her home with her family by her side.
Born in Methuen, on August 9th 1912, Marion was the daughter of Damase and Amanda (Caron) Chateauneuf. Educated in Methuen and a Graduate of the Edward F. Searle’s High School, Marion then continued her education, attending Secretarial School.
Until the age of 80, Marion worked as a retail clerk; at her family’s store, Chateauneuf Variety and then at Robichaud Hardware. She was most proud of being a mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother. Caring for her family was her number one priority. She was the family matriarch and kept her family close all these years. She will be deeply and sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary in Methuen and also enjoyed reading,dancing, and visiting her cottage at Lake Attitash in Merrimac, MA.
The widow of the late Edwin O. Graham Jr. who died in 1983, Marion is survived by her two sons, Edwin O. “Ted” Graham Jr. and his wife Linda of Bow, NH and Thomas P. Graham and his wife Helen of Amesbury, 8 beloved grandchildren, Sherry, Thomas P. Jr., Shawn, Danielle, Michelle, Kristin, Kevin and Stephen, and 5 cherished great-grandchildren, Lelia, Lia, Ryan, Aleksandra and Paul, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her three brothers, Francis F., Albert L., and Gilbert C. Chateauneuf and her sister, Alma R. Thomson, who died in 2008 and her grandson Scott Graham.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Sunday, February 20th from 4-8 p.m. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen, MA. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Monica’s on Monday morning at 9 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Methuen. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marion’s name to Boston Catholic TV 34 Chestnut St., Watertown, MA, 02471 or to the American Foundation for the Blind Attn: Audrey Taylor 2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10121