Martha Mumby Anderson-Graul

Martha Mumby Anderson-Graul Jan. 1, 1934 - Dec. 19, 2007 Resident of Walnut Creek Martha (Marti) Mumby Anderson-Graul, of San Diego and Walnut Creek, CA, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2007. Always the champion Marti handled the challenges of recently diagnosed cancers with strength, courage, humor, and grace. Marti was born on January 1, 1934 in Phoenix, AZ to Kenneth James (Mike) and Mary Mumby, and moved to San Diego when she was less than a year old. By the age of 4, Marti was swinging a golf club under the tutelage of her dad, trying to hit the golf ball over their backyard fence. At 7 years old, Marti was on the front page of the Sports section of the San Diego Union, her beautiful golf swing already well underway. In her youth, she also became an accomplished pianist, and enjoyed playing her Steinway grand piano throughout her life. Marti graduated from San Diego High School in 1951 and attended Stanford University, competing in summer golf tournaments in Los Angeles and Pebble Beach, the only competitions available at that time for women. She married LT Curtis Anderson, USN and had five children by the age of 26. Winning tournaments at every duty station, Marti raised five young children and still perfecter her golf game. She set course records at the U.S. Naval Academy golf course, Army Navy Country Club in Alexandria, VA, and Diablo Creek Golf Course. Marti beat breast cancer at the age of 35, and five years later, faced it again. She won the prestigious Keefer Cup in Washing, D.C. area in 1978 shortly before undergoing a second surgery and won 3rd place in another tournament only 6 weeks later. With the end of her marriage to Curt, she turned pro in 1985, becoming a LPGA Class A teaching Professional. Marti taught golf for over 17 years in the San Ramon/Walnut Creek area, and also was a devoted tai chi practitioner and instructor. In 1988, Marti led the first China Open Amateur Women's Golf Championship in Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. In 1991, following successful lung cancer surgery, Marti met and married Howard Graul of Walnut Creek. Her marriage to Howard brought her four stepdaughters and 12 step-grandchildren and 15 happy years of traveling, playing golf throughout the world, and Graul family reunions. In 1996, she was honored to receive the Athlete of the Century Award from the San Diego High School Alumni Association. In October 2007, Marti was diagnosed with multiple inoperable cancers. Marti's family and friends will forever hold in their hearts memories of her as loving wife, mother, grandmother ('Granmarti;), friend, teacher, and mentor. Despite the physical challenges she faced throughout her life, Marti never lost her ability to love life or to embrace the joy of each day. She is survived by her husband Howard Graul, children Mark Anderson (Joyann) of San Diego, Martha Anderson Bywater (Jim) of San Diego, Michael Anderson (Nancy) of Annandale, VA, Mary Anderson Dominick (Michael) of Bayside, CA, and Marne Anderson Smith (Tom) of Tokyo, Japan; four stepdaughters and 23 grandchildren and step grandchildren. A celebration Marti's life will be held at Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, on January 4, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Interment will take place at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego, CA at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Hospice of East Bay, Habitat for Humanity, or UNICEF.