Mary Lou Graham, 84, of Beavercreek, passed away on Feb. 25, 2022, after a brief illness. She was born to parents Lyle Paul and Doris Irene Ankin Bement on Dec. 12, 1937, in East Aurora, NY. She graduated from East Aurora High School, class of 1955. During her high school years, Mary Lou participated in many activities including cheer, chorus, and Student Council. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Iota Delta Mu sorority, and the Mason’s Rebekah club.
Mary Lou graduated from Alfred University in 1957 with an associate degree in applied sciences. While at Alfred, she was a member of the Pi Nu Epsilon sorority. She later received her bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in English. While attending Wright State, Mary Lou had several of her poems published in the English department’s publication. Mary Lou worked for several departments at Wright State University and retired as the assistant to the dean of the School of Medicine.
One of Mary Lou’s passions was ringing hand bells. She was a member of the adult choir at Aley United Methodist Church and directed the youth hand bell choir. She also played with the adult choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairborn, Ohio.
While living in historic Saint Anne’s Hill in Dayton, Ohio, Mary Lou restored a home, participated in the local Garden Tours, and opened her home for the Dickens of a Christmas Holiday Home Tour.
Mary Lou was an active member of the Rona Village Homeowners Association, Fairborn, Ohio, where she served as association treasurer, published the association newsletter, and worked in the management office.
Mary Lou loved spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren’s dance recitals, sporting events, plays and musicals. She enjoyed sharing stories of her life and passing along her love of sewing, quilting, home renovating and gardening. She had a passion for travel, visiting various places in the United States and abroad, and especially enjoyed her visits to England and Egypt.
Mary Lou is survived by her sister Joann Schroeder, daughters Laura Graham, Susan Parker, and Ann (Ted) Meyer, grandchildren Paul (Nicole) Taylor, Doug (Ricci) Taylor, Kristina (Robert) Call, Allison (Tasmaya) Parker-Lagoo, Laura (Jon) Mason, Leslie Grube, Rachel Meyer, Susan (Nick) Beecroft, and Katherine Meyer, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lyle William Bement, infant daughter Barbara Anne Graham, and former husband Henry Collins Graham.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, or Dayton Children’s Hospital.
