Obituary of Dawna Marie Graham

With heavy hearts and much sadness we announce the passing of Dawna Marie Graham on July 18, 2019 in Regina, SK. Dawna was predeceased by her father Clifford Graham. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her two daughters Georgia (Chad) and Emilee; her partner in life and love, Darrell, and his two children Erin (Shaun) and Marshall; her four grandchildren Jensen, Levi, Braxton and Harlow; mother Bernice, and siblings Kelly (Mardelle), Terri (Mark), Lonnie (Laura), Sydney (Brian); as well as family friends Susanne and Marlin, many nieces and nephews, and extended family. She will also be missed by numerous friends, co-workers and acquaintances; and her fur babies Charlie and Sugar. Dawna cultivated many different friendships over her lifetime and was extremely well liked by everyone she met or came into contact with.

Dawna was born the second of five children on March 16, 1959. In 1963 her family settled in Outlook, SK where she grew up. She was admired by her siblings and had a unique relationship and bond with each one. She also developed lifetime friendships growing up in Outlook and was a free spirit in her youth, doing wild things such as sneaking out and ditching a sibling for a late night swim. She spent her early adult years at Red Deer Art College, where she continued to live a colourful and passionate life. She treated life like an adventure and enjoyed every drop with no regrets, like using her college tuition to buy a guitar, or living in an art community house called the Ritz, garden raiding and partying with her friends. Dawna loved beautiful things, was an avid traveller, a music lover, enjoyed the simple things and always looked for the good in every situation. She was supportive, trusting, and never passed judgement on others. She always gave people the benefit of the doubt and offered a shoulder to lean on even as she struggled herself. She was compassionate and always had the right answer. She didn’t tolerate violence or hate. People around her were drawn to her honest character.

Dawna eventually settled in Regina where she had her two daughters. She loved being a mother and considered it her greatest accomplishment. She raised her girls as a single parent, doing everything for them and showing them what a strong woman and out-of-this-world-mother looked like. She bragged about their successes, watching her youngest daughter Emilee graduate with a University degree, and her oldest daughter Georgia become an exceptional mother and business woman. Dawna’s daughters never doubted her love for them, and they will miss her with all their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Dawna spent the last twelve years of her life with her partner Darrell. She introduced him to her love of travelling, visiting and experiencing many different parts of the world together, and he introduced her to the world of sports, converting her into a devoted Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Blue Jays fan. Incorporating both their interests, after her 60th birthday in March 2019 they travelled to Montreal and there they attended several Blue Jays games. Dawna and Darrell lived their lives happily together in Pilot Butte, where Darrell built her a beautiful deck that became her happy place surrounded by flowers, nature and their dogs Charlie and Sugar. Together they shared the joys of being grandparents to four amazing kids; Jensen, Levi, Braxton and Harlow, who were the lights of her life, and she loved them with all her heart, spoiling them and bragging about them every chance she got. Dawna was and will continue to be their special Nana and they will love her always.

Dawna also shared and deeply cared for her best friends Susanne’s grandson Alif, and their family, sharing many memories and life moments. Dawna was responsible for incorporating a friend, Marlin, to the family, who stepped in as a father figure to her girls. She expanded her own family further through loving connections with a handful of close friends and their children. Additionally, throughout her 35 years at Safeway, Dawna developed relationships with many regular customers and coworkers, becoming very close to a lot and touching the lives of an extraordinary amount of people. Public outings with Dawna were always a social event as she knew and was loved by so many people.

As per Dawna’s wishes there will be a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make donations to any women’s shelter. Spread love and compassion in Dawna’s memory and she will never fade away.