Nancy Kaye Graham

1955 - 2021

Nancy Kaye Graham, age 65, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at her oldest son's house in Puyallup, WA after a brief but hard fight battling lung cancer. Nancy was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on December 3rd, 1955 and was welcomed as the 2nd child of William (Bill) and Lorraine (Bennett) Graham. She graduated from Sault High with the class of 1974. She was raised in the west-end of the Soo (Algonquin) and helped staff the family grocery store, Bill's Market for many years. She continued her education at Lake Superior State University where she earned a Bachelors degree in Social Work with a minor in criminal justice and Master's degree in social work (MSSW) from the University of Michigan.

She became a mother in 1977 and again in 1987 to her two sons and became their biggest role model. During Nancy's life, you may have caught her working at the family grocery store, flipping burgers at Micky D's in the early 70's, or working as a social worker at Sault Tribe or Diane Peppler shelter. She was a caregiver at heart, dedicating close to 30 years of service in child welfare and 15 years of service in hospice. She helped and touched 100's of lives in her career and helped those who needed care the most get exactly what they needed at a time when they needed it the most. She was a strong woman, who was feared by some and adored by many. Nancy was well-spoken and was a wonderful writer. She loved to read and write and always said she was going to write a book. She loved her sons and will continue to inspire them for the rest of their lives. She was classy, sassy, and loved her family, shopping, lipstick and shoes. She fought hard for what she had and for what she believed was right. She had a fierce love and compassion for all animals and rescued many of them.

Nancy is survived by her spouse, Bert Cook of Phoenix, AZ; her sons Nick Lyons of Phoenix, AZ, Thomas (T.J.) Lyons, his wife Meri, and their daughter/her granddaughter, Macy of Puyallup, WA; her sisters Linda Bourque of Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Sandy (Carl) Deplonty of Sault Ste. Marie, MI and their families; and her good friend Maggie Donaubauer. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, William and Lorraine (Bennett) Graham.

A memorial service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery on August 14, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice or the Chippewa County Animal Shelter.