Elizabeth Effie Graff

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Effie Graff nee Wray of Watsonville, California.  Elizabeth died at home on March 26th at the age of 90.

Elizabeth is survived by her son Steven and his wife Lea of Aptos; son Martin and his wife Jill of Santa Rosa; son Michael and his wife Traci of Sunnyvale; 10 cherished grandchildren; and four beloved great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Lee Graff; her parents; brothers Edward, John, Harold, Dean and Richard; sisters Eileen, Margaret, and Mary; daughter Sharon; and granddaughter Lucy. 

Elizabeth was born in Spalding, Nebraska on February 5, 1935 to Joseph Edward Wray and Gladys Mae Wray nee Nelson.  As a youth, she attended Spalding Academy and worked in her family’s restaurant, the Wray Cafe.  The fifth of nine children, Elizabeth loved her family deeply and was a person who always put family first.

Elizabeth met her husband-to-be on a blind date arranged by her brother Harold while she was living and working in Omaha.  She married Lloyd at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Spalding, Nebraska, on May 1, 1954.  The couple started their life together in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Lloyd was stationed at Fort Carson during his service with the U.S. Army.  Their first child and only daughter Sharon was born in Colorado Springs on March 22, 1955.  Elizabeth’s early work was as a secretary.  With a daughter and three sons at home, raising children and home making became her primary focus for many years, and she excelled at both.  As her children became more independent, she returned to school and earned her Associate of Arts in Fine Arts from De Anza College.  Elizabeth’s artistry included drawing and a wide variety of needle crafts.  When Lloyd opened his own advertising agency, Elizabeth joined him there and eventually became the Chief Financial Officer for Graff Advertising.  

A lifelong Roman Catholic, Elizabeth’s faith was important to her and led her to service roles in most every parish she attended.  In her earlier years she was active in the Cursillo movement and in later years she was committed to the Women’s Guild and gardening on the church grounds at Resurrection.  Her lay ministry positions included serving as a eucharistic minister.  Elizabeth enjoyed travel, and her travels took her on a Caribbean as well as to Asia and Europe.

Family was Elizabeth’s focus throughout her life.  She remained strongly connected to her family of origin, thoroughly enjoying time with her siblings and her many nieces and nephews.  For the family she created, she was the anchor—a devoted wife and mother, and a beloved grandmother.  Elizabeth was deeply committed to her values.  Her self-discipline, unwavering work ethic, sharp mind, and generous spirit combined in a way to make her a tremendous role model for all who knew her.  Her passing is a great loss for all who were close to her.

A funeral service for Elizabeth and Lloyd Graff will be held at Resurrection Catholic Community in Aptos, California on Saturday, June 14th at 2:00 p.m.  Interment at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, California will follow on Monday, June 16th at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Bridges, 519 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95076.