In Memory

Cynthia Louise Byford (Graham) VIEW PROFILE

Cynthia Louise Byford (Graham)

 CINDY L (BYFORD) GRAHAM

 

By Patrick Graham, Cindy’s son, with assistance from her daughter Maggie, and her widower, George “Gig” Graham

 

Our mother, or Cindy to all of you, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Augst 3, 1984 at the age of 42. she had been in the mountains of Colorado with her family and experienced chest pains. She was being driven to the hospital by her father, Ben [Byford], when she passed away in transit from a major heart attack.

 

After high school, Cindy attended Millikin University and Southern Illinois University, where she was in the Tri Delta sorority. She graduated from S.I.U. with her teaching certificate.

Cindy was married to our father, George (Gig) Graham Jr. in 1970 in Germany. Gig was in the Army and Cindy was teaching the American children of the servicemen at the same post in the town of Baumholder, Germany.

After returning to the states, they lived in Gig’s home town of Philadelphia, PA for a short time before moving to Pueblo, CO in 1973. Their first child, George Patrick Graham III was born in Philadelphia in December of 1970. Their second child, Margaret Louise Graham was born in June of 1977 in Pueblo, CO.

Her parents, our grandparents, Benjamin and Dorothy Byford moved from Alton to Colorado to be closer to us in the late 1970s. They were always grateful that they were able to spend those years closer to mom and to us. Ben passed away in 1997 and Dot in 2001.

Our mother had always loved Pueblo and summered there often during her years growing up in Alton. The black-and-white picture we included was taken during one of those summer visits. She would stay with long-time friends of her parents, Mary and Marvin Wessel. It was always her wish to live in Pueblo and raise her children there.

 

While she was a school teacher in the years before we were born, she only substitute taught for a while after Patrick was born; but eventually gave it up to spend all her time raising her children.

Mom loved learning and would sign us up for sign language classes, local art classes, fossil hunts with the local college and any other opportunity she could find for us to grow. She was very involved in Westminster Presbyterian Church as a deacon, PEO Chapter CG and the PTA at our elementary school, Sunset Park. A greenhouse at the school was named in her honor after her death.

 

Today, her daughter Maggie has followed in her footsteps as a school teacher in Rye, CO making her home near the San Isabel National Park that mom loved so much. Maggie and her husband Anthony have two boys, Micah (age 5) and Graham (age 3.)

Patrick and his wife Jeannette own the Relax The Back store in Colorado Springs and have two children, Allison (age 6) and William (age 4.) Our dad is married to our step-mom Debbie, and they continue to live in Pueblo.

 

We miss her everyday and we are sure she would have reveled in her four grandchildren. Our father has been a constant rock in our lives and took on an unbelievable burden raising two young children on his own when mom passed away. She would have loved catching up with all of you at the reunion. Thank you all for thinking of her.

 

Obituary from the Pueblo CO paper below:

Mrs. Cindy L. Graham, 42, [Born, Alton IL, December 3, 1941]died in Amherst, CO, August 3, 1984. Wife of George P. Graham Jr. , mother of Patrick and Margaret Graham, daughter of Ben and Dorothy Byford, all of Pueblo. Member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she had served as a deacon. Also active in Southearstern League Swimming in Colorado, PEO  Chapter CG, Sunset Park School PTA, where she had served as vice preisdent, and as a Cub Scout leader.

Cremation at Almont Crematory. Memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile diabetes Foundation, 2640 Sherwood, Pueblo CO 61905, Cottey College Scholarship Fund, or Westminster Presbyterian Deacon's Fund.

[The above copy provided by Lynn and Clara Chase - mhl]

 

 

 

 

 

 



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

03/09/10 02:22 PM #1    

Lynn Oscar Chase

My cousin and my friend. Left us way too soon. 1984

03/10/10 09:02 PM #2    

Judy Hershey (Melly)

Cindy was one of my dearest friends. She was in my wedding She loved to be in Colorado Springs in the summers staying with her Aunt Mary. She married and lived out there, having a son I think. I wish I knew the year she died. I believe she died of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was an only child, and I am sure her parents were heart-broken. I remember her beautiful thick long blond hair at Horace Mann. She was always so perky and bright. We had splendid times! She is sadly missed!

03/12/10 12:25 AM #3    

Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)

I think my mother and Cindy's mother were in the same OB room, probably ward then, at St. Joseph's hospital. Cindy and I were born eight minutes apart on Dec. 3. She was the older. We joked about that. We always remembered each other's birthday, all through school. We were friends. As Judy said, she had long beautiful blond hair. She was sweet, pretty, smart, likable. I was terribly shocked to learn she had died so young. A great loss.

09/20/10 12:16 PM #4    

Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)

Hi, everyone,

Aren't these pictures wonderful. The early one looks just as I remember Cindy. These were sent by her son and daughter and we are most grateful. Beautiful person, beautiful family,  wonderful life, albeit too short.

In remembrance, Marilyn


10/31/10 03:50 PM #5    

Jane Johnson (Bernhardt)

It is wonderful that Cindy's children sent in pictures and a profile.  I last heard from her when she congratulated me on the birht of my third child.  My son arrived on the night of our 20th reunion.    Best wishes to all of the family.  You are lucky to be in the beautiful state of Colorado.

Jane Johnson Bernhardt


go to top 
  Post Comment

 


Click here to see Cynthia Louise's last Profile entry.