Violet 'Vy' Mae Graham

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, "Vy" Violet Mae (Gardner) Graham, loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother,

GramsBear (Grandma) and Great-Grandmother received her angel wings in heaven, just shy of 85 years young. Vy was a longtime resident of Renton, Wash., after leaving Glasgow, Mont., where she was raised.

She was laid to rest by immediate family on Jan. 26. The family will be planning a celebration of life for all who loved her to join and share stories, pictures and time. This is something she would love. She will be missed by all who loved her.

Vy was born on Jan. 24, 1938, to Henry and Glenda Gardner in Scobey, Mont. She grew up on a farm with her two brothers; Marvin and Gary Gardner. She was very loved by her family and friends in Montana, including her longtime friend Karen and Butch.

On June 30, 1956, she married Bob (Robert) C. Graham, also from Glasgow. He joined the Navy and they went on to live in California, then Washington. They had one daughter, Sherrie, and five sons; Rob (Robert), Darren, Dean, Mike (Michael) and Jimmy (Daryl). Vy and Bob raised their family in Renton. Bob passed away in 1988.

Vy continued having many gatherings over the years, tacos always being served. Vy had a great sense of humor, known usually for joking about someone "kicked out of the will" or even being told "ok, you're back in the will!" Something most loved about her was how she knew right where your body ached with pain, no matter how old or young, she would usually be seen rubbing someone's back or neck, this being her love language.

Vy worked as a bartender at a few places around town, such as Leonard's & Doofer's. She later went to work at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Wash., where she was for many years. She started in housekeeping, continuing up the ladder to eventually become Environmental Materials Manager. She earned Employee of the Month in December 1994. She was so loved and respected by her employees, fellow coworkers, as well as her community. Most knew her as mom, or "the mom," and she enjoyed that. "Whatever" was her favorite phrase!

She was preceded in death by her husband Bob; mother Glenda; father Henry; daughter Sherrie; brother Marvin; and granddaughter Angela.

She is survived by her children Rob (Brenda) Graham, Darren (Michelle) Graham, Dean (Kerri) Graham, Mike (Jennifer) Graham, and Jimmy Graham. Her grandchildren, Jimmy, Christina, Jennifer, Jason, Troy, Deryk, Rhylee, Jasmine, Shante, Ryan and Mariana, as well as 16 great-grandchildren. There have been many others over the years that refer to Vy as mom, grandma, aunty, and best friend. She spent her last few years being cared for by her son, Jimmy, and who came to be her best friend, Henri Carson.