Mary Graves

The city of El Paso can celebrate the life of MARY MAUREEN GRAVES, 76, who passed away Friday, January 9, 2009. Maureen often commented that although she wasn't born in Texas she couldn't wait to get here. Blessed with deep Irish roots, she was born to Walter and Margaret Barden on October 8, 1932 in Waseca, Minnesota. Maureen attended Sacred Heart High School in Waseca and St. Teresa's College in Winona, Minnesota. In 1953 she joined several sisters in El Paso and in 1954 on the wedding anniversary of her parents and grandparents, married native El Pasoan Robert E. Graves. After she worked for the El Paso Natural Gas Company she stayed at home to raise her four children of whom she was most proud. She was a longtime dedicated and active member of St. Matthew's parish and spent countless hours and abounding energy volunteering on the boards of several efforts promoting the Sun City. Among them were the UTEP Woman's Auxiliary, Discover El Paso, the Woman's Department of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, and the El Paso Historical Society. In addition she was a charter member of Las Amigas, a volunteer organization dedicated solely to the promotion of her beloved city as well as a vibrant member of the Red Hats. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Margaret Barden brother, Mike Barden and sisters, Bonnie Madigan, Kay Smith and Helen Laurel. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert, her sister, Pat and her husband, Tim Hanrahan of Satellite Beach, Florida, sisters-in-law, Joyce Graves of El Paso and Mary (Murph) Barden of Atlanta, Georgia, as well as her sons, Dan and wife, Katy of Oviedo, Florida, Tim and wife, Penny of El Paso, and Patrick and wife, Susan, of Killeen, Texas, as well as her daughter Molly of Fort Collins, Colorado and 9 grandchildren. Rosary will be held on Monday, January 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home West. Memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 10:00am at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 400 W. Sunset Dr. Inurnment will be held at Fort Bliss at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in the care of the family's favorite "Padre", Father Richard Houlahan for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, P.O. Box 659432, San Antonio, TX 78265-9432. The family extends a very loving "Thank You" to Peggy and Tony Munoz of El Paso for everything they have done for mom and dad for so many years. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, TX 79912