Dorothy Graham Obituary

Dorothy Ann Graham, 90, of Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Peterborough Community Hospital in Peterborough, New Hampshire, surrounded by loving family. 

Dorothy was born in Albany, New York, on January 9, 1934 and was raised in Ravena, New York. Her mother, an elementary school teacher, and her father, an engineer, valued the importance of education and instilled in Dorothy a life-long emphasis on learning. After graduating from high school in 1951, she attended the State University of New York at Albany, where she earned both her BA in mathematics and MA in education. She taught secondary school mathematics from 1956 until her retirement in 1995 in public school districts in three states (Colonie, New York; Cranston and Barrington, Rhode Island; Horsham, Pennsylvania), taking several years off from teaching when her children were young. Dorothy thoroughly enjoyed teaching and learning and always took advantage of any opportunities to further her education. She enrolled in courses at Boston College, Temple University, University of Colorado, and Allentown College, attended workshops, and participated in professional organizations.

Dorothy was introduced to her future husband, Jack, by his brother when she was teaching at the South Colonie Central School in Colonie, New York. She and Jack were married on July 10, 1959, and subsequently lived in Providence, Rhode Island and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania before moving to Maple Glen, Pennsylvania in 1972. 

During her retirement years, Dorothy valued her involvement with her church, Abington Presbyterian Church, where she served as Deacon and Ruling Elder and volunteered in numerous capacities. She was also an active member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization. 

Dorothy was an avid reader and also enjoyed gardening, bird-watching, and attending musical performances in the Philadelphia area and beyond. She traveled often, particularly to her second home on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren at their homes in New Hampshire and New York. She spent many wonderful vacations with her family, most recently on Mount Desert Island, Maine the week before her passing. 

Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Edwin C. Schatz and Sybil (Jennings) Schatz, and her brother, Edwin C. Schatz, Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Jack Graham; her brother, John Schatz, of Rockwall, Texas; her children, Suzanne Graham (Peter Weber), of Peterborough, New Hampshire, and Bruce Graham (Valerie Kay), of New York, New York; her grandchildren, David, Sophia, Natalie, Ethan, and Juliet; and several nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 27, 2024, with visitation at 10:00 am, at the Abington Presbyterian Church, in Abington, Pennsylvania. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Abington Presbyterian Church (1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001-4593) or the Lenape Chamber Ensemble (P.O. Box 93, Pipersville, PA 18947).