Obituary of Ruth Joy Graham

The family of Ruth Graham would like to thank their friends and relatives for their loving support during this very sad time. Ruth was born in Creelman, SK on November 23, 1924. She passed away February 1, 2016 at the age of 91. She was the beloved wife of George Thomas Graham (GT) who pre-deceased her in 2011. She was also pre-deceased by daughter-in-law Cathy and grand-son Kevin. She was the mother and grandmother to Ronald and Lynn (Rebecca and Timothy Swejda, David and Nicole Graham and Jonathan and Rya Graham); Michael and Brenda (Trina and Mark Volkhamer, Brenden and Stephanie Graham; Ken and Erika (George Graham and Janina Joy Graham); Richard (Diana and Darrell Crull, Debbie Graham). She was the great-grandmother to Jude and Zoey Swejda; Gabe and Gracie Graham, Reid and Charlie Graham; Samantha and Laura Volkhamer; Devon(Ana) and Dalina Crull. When Ruth was just 5 years old, she moved to the Gundy area along with her parents, Arthur and Alice Bulley and 6 other siblings. Her parents went on to have 3 more children for a total of 10 children. In 1946, while working in the Dawson Creek post office, she met George Graham. They were married on August 2, 1946, and settled in the Rolla / Doe River area where they farmed and raised their family. George and Ruth were successful farmers. In the late 1940's they raised bees and produced an excellent crop of honey. One year they entered a sample in the Toronto Royal Winter fair and won 1st prize for all of Canada. The next year they also won 1st prize at the Vancouver PNE. In 1967 Ruth and George undertook another successful business venture. Husband George had been delivering propane for a company called JET Propane out of Girouxville, AB. In 1967 they purchased the truck and other assets and started their own company. What to call it? Ruth's middle name was Joy and it wouldn't take much to change the name on the side of the truck so George suggested, "Why don't we call it Joy?" Thus JOY Propane was born and went on to be a successful company, serving the Peace River Country for 40 years, until it's sale in 2007. Ruth was always plagued with health issues, although you would never know it as she was not a complainer. Back in 1952 she had one lung and part of the other one removed. She went on to have her 2 youngest sons after that major surgery. When she turned 65, the doctor advised her to go on oxygen, and that would give her a couple more years of life. She went on to live for 26 more years! The family would like to say a special Thank You to Ruth's caregivers including Marlyn Lim, Lennette Villanueva and Bea McCoy. Without their loving care and many kindnesses she wouldn't have been able to live in her own home until shortly before her death. A memorial service was held on February 6, 2016 at Reynars Funeral home in Dawson Creek. We would like to thank Michael Graham (son) for officiating and June Scheffer and friends from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses for arranging the tea. Also, Nicole Graham for putting together the special video of Ruth's life and the staff at Reynars for their support and assistance. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium. Memorial Service 2:00 pm Saturday, February 6, 2016 Reynars Funeral Chapel 1300 102nd Avenue Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada V1G 2C6