Mrs. Mary Lou Graham, 89, a resident of the Masonic Care Community in Utica, formerly of N. Utica and Old Forge passed away on Monday June 20, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center with her loving family by her side. Mary Lou was born In Utica on August 10, 1921 the daughter of the late Frank J. and Dorothy (Milgate) Colwell. She was raised in Utica, was a graduate of Utica Free Academy, class of 1939 and the Excelsior School of Business. On January 12, 1943 Mary Lou married Walter J. Graham at Blessed Sacrament Church in Utica, a loving and devoted union of 68 years. During World War II, she was employed with Rhoads Hospital in Utica, later with Utica Mutual Insurance Company and for 10 years as a personal secretary to Monsignor Gallagher at St. Francis de Sales School. For 35 years, Mary Lou was a devout member of St. Peter's Church in N. Utica and also a member of St. Bartholomew's Church in Old Forge. She was a former member of the Alter Rosary Society at St. Peter's Church and St. Francis de Sales Church. Mary Lou was an avid bridge player and enjoyed reading and taking walks with her husband Walter. Mrs. Graham is survived by her beloved and devoted husband Walter; 4 loving children; Marilyn Graham of Utica and Old Forge, Sheila and Jack Mineo of Whitesboro, Stephen Graham of Utica and Old Forge and Michael and Maryann Graham of Utica; 6 cherished grandchildren, Stephanie (Raymond) Randall, James (Carrie) Mineo, Christopher Mineo, Robert Mineo, , Erin (Justin) Nackley and Kayla Graham; 5 adored great grandchildren, Kristopher Jones, MacKenzie Kelly, Joshua Richard Graham Kelly, Jack Mineo, and Bria Nackley; a brother-in-law, Jeremiah Mahoney of Utica and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her 4 sisters, Shirley Roth, Elizabeth Price, Phyllis Colwell and Kathryn Mahoney and a brother, Donald (Bud) Colwell. Mrs. Graham's funeral will be held on Friday June 24, 2011 at 9:15 a.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica and 10:00 at St. Peter's Church where her mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by her cousin, Rev. George Wurz. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro. Calling hours for family and friends are Thursday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation in Mary Lou's memory, please consider The American Heart and Stroke Association, Central Association For the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family would like to pay special thanks to the entire staff of the Masonic Care Facility, especially the Saranac Neighborhood where Mary Lou resided and received excellent and loving care from all of her caregivers. We would also like to thank the staff of the Intensive care Unit and Floor 3C at St. Elizabeth Medical Center for their excellent care in her last days.