Graham, Lou Ann

Lou Ann Graham, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend passed away peacefully on November 1, 2016 at the age of 90.

She was born on February 3, 1926 to Robert and Mae Jones in Independence, Kansas. The family moved to Albuquerque when she was only two.

Lou Ann is survived by her brother, Robert M. Jones and her daughter, Sharon Hall, both of Albuquerque, daughter-in-law Michelle Hall of San Jose, CA, grandson, Chad Hall of El Dorado Hills, CA, nieces Dot Hester, Nancy Dingess, Marty Wilson, Cathy Sheyka, Bobbie Lee Swaim, Janet Lloyd and many loving grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Robin, son Bill, four sisters, Venus Speer, Vivian Vance Dodds, Dorothy O'Neal and Mickey Bowyer, nephew Bill Speer and niece Vivian Wilkison.

After graduating from Albuquerque High, Lou went on to study nursing and then to UNM where she became a cheerleader and met her first husband, William E. (Bill) Hall, Jr. They married in 1947. Bill became Director of the School of Journalism at the University of Nebraska, while Lou Ann completed her M.A. in Theater at NU. She directed productions at the University and worked with the Lincoln Community Playhouse.

Lou Ann and Bill divorced in 1965, and Lou moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with her children. She and second husband, Ross Graham, founded the Young Conservatory of the American Conservatory Theater, and later started their own company, The San Francisco Attic Theater. They fell in love with Europe over several vacation trips and moved to the south of France in 1985 where they lived for 10 years until moving back to San Francisco on the death of Lou's son, Bill.

Her children and her family meant everything to Lou, and in 2001 she returned home to Albuquerque to live. She and Ross separated, but remained friends. Since, she has been a substitute teacher at Manzano HS, taught drama, and been active in local theater productions and events.

Lou Ann was the youngest sister of actress Vivian Vance of I Love Lucy fame. She hosted presentations about Vivian at the Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque Little Theater, the Kimo, Oasis and venues throughout the city as well as at the annual Lucy/Desi Jamestown (NY) Festival. In 2014, she was flown to LA to accept Vivian's award into the Academy of Television's Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Lou wrote two books - Viv's Scrapbook and Memories of My Big Sister, Viv - and the second edition of her book on teaching acting, We Are Players has just been published.

The family would like to thank Ambercare Hospice, Genesis at Bear Canyon, and the staff who cared for her at Presbyterian Hospital, with special appreciation to Dr. Grandhe. Lou donated her body to UNM where cremation will take place at a later date.

Lou Ann was full of life and love for family, the arts, nature, animals and social justice. A memorial service and reception in her honor will be held on Saturday, November 19th at 4pm at the First Unitarian Church, Carlisle & Comanche. In lieu of flowrs, please make donations to The Albuquerque Little Theater or First Unitarian Animal Advocates.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albuquerque Journal from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Lou Graham

11 Entries

Linda Steeves

November 6, 2023

I think this is a wonderful way to keep Lou´s memory alive. Sometimes it´s the little moments that mean the most and this lady brought joy and a lasting memory in mine. Thank you

Linda Steeves

November 6, 2022

I met Lou Ann while visiting Jamestown and although it was for just a few minutes l felt like we had known each other for years. Such a beautiful lady. I took a picture of her and her friend for them and she gave me a jar of hot peppers for my birthday. So kind and it was exciting to meet her. She will always have a special place in my heart.

Linda Steeves

February 19, 2021

I met this lovely lady In Jamestown and we had a great little chat. She gave me a little gift as it was my birthday and we took pictures. Actually that’s how we started to chat as we took her picture with her friend. I know it’s a little late and it probably won’t reach her family now but my deepest condolences. She was a special lady.

Ward Willats

October 4, 2019

I live in Santa Cruz, California and recently retired at 60, hoping to get back into performing more. I've spent this week auditioning for our local play festival and just found out I've been cast in 3 productions.

This got me thinking about how it all began: when my 5th grade teacher around 1970 suggested my dramatic flair might be better put to use on the stage than in the classroom! Thus I found my way to the Los Altos Children's Theatre which at the time was taught by Ross and Lou Ann, and performed shows at Foothill Junior College. My performances in Snow White (my first and I dropped the first page of lines) and Tom Sawyer are still talked about (uh, by me).

I went on to do a lot of theatre through my teens and 20s, managing to pick up a BA in Theater from UCSC in 1982. Although I have performed sporadically since then, mostly work has kept me away from the theatre, a great shame.

Anyway, tonight, now looking forward to the prospect of a month of doing shows 5 days a week and getting a bit of $$$ for it too, I decided to Google Ross and Lou Ann and found this notice. I am saddened to hear of her passing, for there is no doubt she and Ross inculcated the love of theatre that has stayed with me to this day.

Thank you Lou Ann. Lights fade slow. Curtain.

Sherry Rabbino Lewis

November 20, 2016

Lou Ann was an important mover and shaker in the Albuquerque theatre community and will be greatly missed.
At her memorial service yesterday, the essence of her spirit, warmth, work ethic and humor came through clearly. Wish I had known her longer than just the last few years (since having the good fortune of being under her direction in Hot_l Baltimore.)
She was unforgettable!
Sending deep condolences to her entire family.
Sincerely,
Sherry Rabbino Lewis
Secretary, Albuquerque Theatre Guild

Valerie Scott

November 17, 2016

Lou Ann was a very special person to me. I loved her wonderful spirit. It was such a pleasure meeting her way back in 2001 when she came to visit my charter school, Public Academy for Performing Arts. I always appreciated how she kept her sister Vivian's memory alive, whether at the special exhibit she mounted at the Albuquerque Museum, or in a book she wrote about her, etc... Most of all, I loved her smile, and her attendance at our ATG annual party. She was such a GEM. I will miss you Lou Ann, and all the memories you shared with me.

Valerie Scott

Steven Stone

November 15, 2016

You were a charming , wonderful lady. Thanks for sharing your memories of your sister Vivian with us. Your generosity contributed to television history.

Joanne DeMartino

November 14, 2016

Sharon and family,

It was a pleasure spending time with Lou Ann in Jamestown and developing a very beautiful friendship. I will miss her.

Tina Cunningham

November 13, 2016

I met Lou Ann when I had to her flown to Cherryvale Kansas, where her mother's family roots were. We remained friends ever since and I had the honor of being with her when she accepted the Emmy Television HOF award in Beverly Hills in 2012. She was a gem. My thoughts are with her family, as she spoke of them so often. Tina Cunningham, Cherryvale KS

November 13, 2016

Such a pleasure to meet Lou Ann at our mutual hairdresser's and exchange memories of old family friends. Godspeed to her. She was a lovely woman.

Holly Varela

November 13, 2016

My condolences to the family. I met Lou when she worked at Explora, and she quickly became someone I enjoyed talking to. I loved her quick wit and her sense of humor.
May she rest in peace.

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