Carolyn Ruth (Emery) Graham passed away after a courageous battle with COVID-19 on April 9, 2020, at Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Carolyn was a lifelong resident of Medford, and later Wakefield, and had just celebrated her 82nd birthday on March 1st.
Carolyn was the beloved wife of the late Michael J. Graham, who pre-deceased her. She was the loving and devoted mother of her of her three daughters, all of whom survive her: Cheryl A. (Graham) Lutcza and her husband Michael of Pepperell, Nancy A. (Graham) Shannon of New Bedford, and Kathleen J. (Graham) Keegan of Wakefield.
Carolyn was the loving grandmother to six grandchildren, Michele N. Straitiff of Pepperell, Sean M. Lutcza of Pepperell, Brittany B. Keegan of Cranston, R.I., Jason M. Lutcza of Pepperell, Elizabeth (formerly Jeremy) Keegan of Wakefield, and the late Samantha L. Keegan of Wakefield. She was also the caring great-grandmother to two great-granddaughters, Shaunessey A. Straitiff and Scarlett E. Straitiff.
Carolyn is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lillian J. Brown of Sterling, and many dear nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, Walter M. Emery and Edythe K. (Anderson) Emery; her brother, Walter M. Emery, Jr.; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bernard J. Graham and Concetta (DeVitto) Graham; her brother-in-law, Bernard J. Graham, Jr.; and her sisters-in-law, Mary C. (Graham) Miele and Ruth (Eckberg) Graham, all of Medford.
Carolyn was born on March 1, 1938 in Somerville, MA, and was raised in Medford by her parents. She attended Medford Public Schools and was a graduate of Medford High School Class of 1956. She began her career as a secretary with John Hancock Insurance Company in Boston, after which she took some time off from her career to begin raising her family. When she re-entered the workforce, she was employed for many years with the Medford Public Schools, at both the Lincoln Jr. High School and Medford High School; Woolworth’s (Fellsway) in Medford; and finally as an Administrator for Mass Automated Transfer Systems (MATS) in both Melrose and Stoneham, until her retirement in 1988.
Carolyn met her soulmate and future husband, Michael, while they were students at Medford High School. They married on November 15, 1956 and were happily married for 48 years, residing in Medford, until Michael’s death in 2005. Carolyn and Michael were loving and giving parents, raising their children in Medford. They found great joy in spending time with their family and sharing special times with them at Disneyworld in Florida, Sebago Lake in Maine, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and Cold Springs Resort in Weare, NH, where they enjoyed many winters and summers.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with Carolyn’s family on Tuesday, July 14th from 12 to 1 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Carolyn’s name to Disabled American Veterans Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or www.DAV.org.
Carolyn’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and medical staff (Unit 6-Southeast) at Lahey Clinic for the care, comfort and compassion they provided to both Carolyn, and our family, during her battle with the coronavirus.