Lorena Mae Graham

Lorena May Graham sadly passed away on July 13, 2024. She was 93 years old. She will be profoundly missed by family, friends, and community. She was a beacon of light and hope to all who knew her. 

Lorena was born October 1, 1931, in Centralia, Washington, and grew up on a small farm. They had farm animals and raised rabbits for food during the Depression. Lorena said people would wander down the railroad tracks, looking for food. Her father always put them to work around the farm for a good meal. 

During the 1950s, she lived in Japan with her family for a year. In 1981, she began working for the State Department of Licensing, doing technical reporting. She retired after 20 years of service. 

Lorena was dedicated to her faith and attended the same church in Olympia for over 50 years. Church was followed by a big Sunday dinner for the family. She loved gardening and flowers and had a small white Shih Tzu dog all her life, and a cat. 

Lorena was a mother to everyone and was as great as any mother could be. Amazingly, she never turned away anyone who needed a place to stay. Over the last 40 years, almost every family member, as well as many friends, lived with her. 

She is survived by her son, David; niece, Susan; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were two children, Sylvia and Ken; a grandson, David Paul; ex-husband, Paul, who she was close to until he passed; her older sister, Dorthy, who lived in Ohio; and her parents, Alice and Albert Johnson.