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CORRIE GRAVES Obituary

CORRIE E. GRAVES - SOUTH BURLINGTON - Corrieanne "Corrie" Esther Graves of South Burlington, 64, died early Monday morning, April 29, 2013, in Vermont Respite House in Williston. Corrie was born June 7, 1948, the daughter of William and Johanna (DeZwaan) Johnson, in Evanston, Ill. She graduated from Linton High School in Schenectady, N.Y, attended Swarthmore College, and graduated from UVM with a degree in fine arts. Corrie is survived by her husband of 43 years, Stuart; her children, Margaret (Meg) Gravesdale of Vancouver, B.C., and Catherine of Ellon, Scotland; her sister, Frances Morsillo of Weston; nephews, Nicholas, Andrew, and Peter Morsillo; and many cousins in Holland and the Midwest. Corrie was a woman of many loves and talents. She had a sweet smile, and an untamed sense of humor. In the mid- seventies, she returned to UVM and Middlebury College to become fluent in speaking and writing Mandarin. She led a tour of the U.S. Peoples Friendship Association to China in 1977, and helped raise money for the rehabilitation of the Flynn Theater in Burlington with her Chinese cooking. Nobody could beat her at a pun, remembering and singing the lyrics of songs, or naming a bird at her many backyard feeders. She had a beautiful voice - singing with various groups when young, and later embarking in classical training. Following this love for music, for many years she worked for the Melvin Kaplan agency managing string quartets. Corrie was also an accomplished artist in pastels and oils with multiple shows in the Burlington area. She skillfully read and wrote poetry. During her trip to China, seeking to understand the problem of human suffering, she began reading C.S. Lewis, and shortly thereafter joined the Episcopal Church. In 1996, she developed breast cancer, which she fought with unflagging courage and tenacity. Experiencing neurological deficits from her cancer treatments she was never able to fully return to her artistic loves, and turned to the practice of meditation and study of Buddhism. In the course of these she took Bodhisattva vows. As her life came to a close from metastatic cancer, she proclaimed herself a mixture of the two, a "Buddhapalian". And not to be missed amongst all this, she was an active and sober member of AA for thirty years - a place where she could receive and give immediate and practical help. Corrie, her loving nature, and generosity of spirit will be missed by many, many people. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral in Burlington on Sunday May 5, 2013, at 2 p.m. Her family wishes to express their profound gratitude to the staff of the VNA hospice program, and Vermont Respite House. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be sent to Vermont Respite House in her name.

Published by The Burlington Free Press on May 1, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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Stuart, Max sent me a copy of Corrie's obit. My heart goes out to you and your girls. Corrie was uniquely lovable and apparently a strong fighter against her cancer. She was great. I can still hear her beautiful voice. It was an honor to sing with her. Will keep you in my thoughts.

Elaine Ingra

May 29, 2013

Dear Stuart,
I was so sorry to read of Corrie's death. The last I knew, she was cancer free, and she had fought it with such strength and dignity she deserved to have her remission last a much longer time. The obituary was beautiful, really capturing the many facets of her life and being. I regret not having kept in touch, and am very sorry that because I am out of town I was unable to be at her service. You and the girls are in my thoughts, and I know that Corrie will be with you all forever.
Cynthia Seybolt

May 7, 2013

I was so sorry to hear of Corrie's death. Though my most recent contact with her was some time ago, at the Burlington Shambhala Center around 2004, I remember her well -- especially her quiet strength and her wonderful poetry (which she occasionally read aloud with great humility and to powerrful affect). There was one poem that moved me so deeply that I contacted her afterward and asked for a copy of it. She agreed, but, I now realize, we did not follow up and complete that transaction. Needless-to-say, I greatly regret that, now. If there is ever a volume of her poems published, I would love to have a copy. I am very honored to have known Corrie, however briefly.

Roxie Lauer

May 6, 2013

Dear Stuart, Margaret, Catherine,Fran, and family,
Thank you for being such a wonderful sweet family for Corrie, God really blessed her in you. I loved her like a sister; she was like an exotic flower, fragrant and lovely w her head in the clouds but her roots firmly planted in the earth.. complex and irresistably attractive and welcoming to all who approached her, yet tough as nails. She survived a lot! I am thanking our Lord for her and for you; trusting he is carrying you each day in his loving arms. You all took such good loving care of her, In his care, Laurel

Laurel Swift

May 6, 2013

A special lady who will be so missed by family and friends, a loss to many, but she will live on in our memories

Margaret Terrien

May 4, 2013

Dear Stewart, Meg and Catherine,
We are so sad to learn of Corrie's passing. We hold you in our hearts and prayers.
Sam and Lee Hemingway

May 3, 2013

Stuart, Meg, and Kathryn,
Corrie was such a spiritual seeker and when I read this today, I thought of her: " I am dying into Your Mystery, and in dying, I am now no other than that mystery" Don't you think she'd love that?? I am so grateful to have known Corrie. What a gift she was and is to me.
Love and prayers to you,
Karen

Karen Mikkelsen

May 2, 2013

Dear Meg, Catherine, and Stuart~
We fondly remember the gatherings in Chicago several years ago to get to know you and then to celebrate Meg and Aaron's wedding. We have been so thrilled to gain new family! Very sad that we will not be seeing Corrie again, we know that her suffering is now gone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We wish you peace in the days to come. Love, Louanne and Bill

Louanne Chance

May 2, 2013

I am sorry to hear of Corrie's passing. She and I joined the "Friends of Bill W" at about the same time, and I saw her countless times at meetings over the past 30 years. I also got to see her when she was working with Mel Kaplan, and I was Mel's landlord many years ago.

Corrie was a classy woman, and I know she helped many people during their journeys in recovery over the past 30 years.

You can really "Take it easy" now, Corrie. RIP.

Rich Feeley

May 2, 2013

I remember you and I iked hearing about you and your memory will be cherished.
Allison Ting

May 2, 2013

Dear Stuart, Catherine, and Meg,

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.

John Vogelsang

May 1, 2013

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Maggie Shartel

May 1, 2013

Corrie was a part of a group of friends at Burlington College in the late 80's. She welcomed us all into her home with her family full of the arts and music. I will always remember our study group pot luck dinners...sending love to the family....suzanne

May 1, 2013

We are thinking of you, Stu.

Second Spring crew

May 1, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. Corrie was my first sponsor in AA and I have so many memories of my hanging onto her words for my very survival. She taught me how to love - first myself and then others. Her smile and her capacity for love will live on in the countless lives that she touched. I will miss her deeply.

Lori Somerville

May 1, 2013

Dear Stu, Brinda has kept me informed. Corrie,you and the girls have been in my prayers. My only contact with Corrie was when I called your home to get in touch with you and I knew from those brief encounters that she was a very special person. My thoughts and prayers will be with you each day. With sorrow for your loss and my love, Ann Holman

May 1, 2013

Stuart, Catherine, Margaret, Fran and family, so sorry to hear about Corrie. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lee MacWilliams

May 1, 2013

So sorry for your great loss . I remember her smile, humor and singing "Abbi yo yo" with children,. The melody has run through my head for years and especially on hearing of her death. The melody of her life will resonate for many for a long,long time .

Reed & Gail

May 1, 2013

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