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Nancy Lea Graves Obituary

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Nancy Lea Graves

Aberdeen, WA

September 18, 1941 - April 27, 2017

Nancy Lea Graves Obituary

Nancy Lea Graves, age 75, died peacefully in her home in Malone, WA on April 27th, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer. Nancy was born on September 18, 1941 in Tacoma, WA, the daughter of Fredrick H. Reinke and Esther M. Blackwood. Nancy enjoyed anything to do with art and creativity. She graduated from Olympia High School in 1959 where she was a majorette (which she tried unsuccessfully to teach her daughters and granddaughters) and played the trumpet in band and the French horn in the orchestra. She worked briefly at a flower shop, which sparked a lifelong love for creating beautiful flower arrangements and she made many for the weddings of family and friends. Nancy worked at the State Department of Licensing before she met and married Philip Graves, a dairy farmer from Malone. She brought with her two daughters, and together she and Phil completed their family with two sons. Nancy was blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom while helping Phil on the farm. While Nancy never did learn to enjoy the smell of farm life, she appreciated the life she had created for her and her family. She enjoyed gardening and canning, and she collected cows and music boxes. Nancy was a member of the Dairy Wives organization and a Homemakers Club that provided help for women in shelters among other things. She was also a member of the Olympic Christian Center where she had many friends who were a great comfort during her illness. After her children were grown, she worked at the Post Office in Malone as the relief Post Master, and was the bookkeeper for the Malone Water System until the time of her passing. As grandchildren came into her life, she enjoyed caring for them when their parents worked, and she taught them a love for music and learning. From lullabies to nursery rhymes, letters and numbers, memories were made that would last forever. Her sister Janice, and grandchildren Danielle, Travis, and Brock preceded Nancy in death. She is survived by her husband Phil, her children; Debbie Murphy (Rick Sholes), Dana Ochsner (Virgil), Mathew Graves (Tabatha Coen), and Marcus Graves (Julie). Siblings; Carol Lyke, Diane Grosstick (William), Karen McCall, Scott Reinke and Todd Reinke, 12 grandchildren, 15.5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be a graveside service on May 6th, 12:00pm at the Masonic Cemetery in Elma, WA, church service at 2:00pm at the Olympic Christian Center in McCleary, WA, with food and fellowship to follow. To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen is honored to assist the family.

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Nancy Lea Graves.