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Gale Graham Obituary
Gale Graham, age 67, passed away on Feb 22nd. She was the elder of two daughters born to Charles and Florence Graham in Queens, New York in 1942. She lived in Syosset on Long Island until the age of 12. Her family relocated to Centerport, Long Island where she graduated from Harborfields High School in 1960. During her high school years, Gale first identified her calling to provide care and comfort to others. She continued her education at St. John's Episcopal Nursing School in Brooklyn, New York and became a registered nurse in 1963. Her proficiency was soon recognized, and she quickly rose to the position of head nurse of her unit a few weeks after graduating nursing school. Gale's nursing career took her to Hawaii and California and included stints at such prestigious institutions as North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, U.C.L.A.'s Neuropsychiatric Institute, Los Angeles Children's Hospital and the Cerebral Palsy/Spastic Children's Foundation in Sylmar, California.
Gale settled in Santa Maria in 1989, taking a position with VTC Enterprises (then known as the Vocational Training Center) as an instructor focusing on teaching living skills to mentally and physically challenged individuals. For 21 years, this was her passion and she became not only an instructor but a friend and mentor to innumerable residents of the Santa Maria Valley. During her tenure with VTC Enterprises, Gale received many awards of recognition and accolades from her peers for her innovative approaches to care and teaching. Gale was completely devoted to the individuals she instructed and to her fellow employees at VTC and was a passionate advocate for all physically and mentally challenged people in our community.
Gale had a special love for animals and rescued those that she could. She worked tirelessly to assist in the care of feral and abandoned cats, ensuring that these animals were spayed or neutered and placed in homes when possible. Gale also enjoyed gardening and could often be found on weekends working at the Community Garden at Elwin Mussell Senior Center. This project was one of the many innovative projects Gale developed for her VTC clients as part of their life experience.
Gale was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Florence Graham. She will be greatly missed by her sister Holly Got and her husband, Terrence as well as her cousins, Patty Fatscher; Diane Katz and her husband Irv; Glenn Singer and his wife Linda; Lisa Rostron and her husband Wally; and many second and third cousins.
Gale's final resting place will be the Santa Maria Cemetery, following a private burial service. A memorial honoring Gale will be held on Friday, March 5, at 1:30, at VTC Enterprises, 2445 "A" Street, Santa Maria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VTC Enterprises, P.O. Box 1187, Santa Maria, CA 93456 or to Central Coast S.P.C.A., P.O. Box 2952, Orcutt, CA 93456.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens.
Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gale Graham
Katrina Dhoedt
March 25, 2010
To Holly: I just wanted you to know that Gale is still very much in the thoughts of those who worked with her and were her friends. Her Guys in her group still talk about her and miss her dearly! I only hope that time is healing for you. Katrina
Carey Reimer
March 5, 2010
Hello again, Holly. I've just learned you've made very sure that Gale's cats, Cozy and Tasha (who must be scandalized that I earlier referred to her as Sasha), are living in the lap of luxury from this day forward! We love that! Thank you, thank you!
March 4, 2010
To Gale's family,
May your memories of Gale bring you comfort.
I had the opportunity to have worked with Gale in the DTAC program up until 2002. I remember her as a compassionate advocate and strong mentor. Her medical background enabled her to enhance the quality of life for those individuals she served and loved. Gale offered security and opportunity to her consumers. She gave them a voice and made sure they were heard! They all became part of Gale's family.
Gale was wonderfully creative and also encouraged her consumers to express themselves in many creative activities. Everyone wanted to be in Gale's program!
I know through the years many lives were touched by Gale and her warm generosity, mine included.
Rose Nartates
Lorri Hunter
March 4, 2010
I will truly miss our conversations about the silly things her cats would do, about animals, New York, her cousins, and her Grandmother. I will miss Gale deeply.
Debbie Harper
March 3, 2010
Remembering Gale brings a smile to my face and to my heart. I remember Gale's caring nature for others more than for herself, her creativity and resourcefullness was an inspiration to us all.
Tina Gallardo
March 3, 2010
March 03, 2010
Gale,
You were an inspiration to us all. Your love for your worked shined through you and all the clients you touched. You will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to be part of your life. Fly high with all the angels, and tell Frankie mom loves him. We are blessed to know you will be our guardian angel for VTC, and protect us all.
Love,
Tina Gallardo
Traci Bockhahn (Farrar)
March 3, 2010
Gale THANK YOU for always being the person you are. I have learned a lot from you and still use your life lessons you taught. I will always remember your great smile and how you always "got down and dirty" with everything you did. I will also remember how when you would walk in the door every individual would have to say "HI" and give you a hug. You always put a smile on everyone's face! Thank You for all you did and have done! God Bless you!
Love,
Traci B.
Tracy Fairchild
March 2, 2010
I will miss the fact that no matter how long Gale had been doing this work she was always willing to give a new idea a try.
Madeleine Arel-Davis
March 1, 2010
I'm going to miss her smiling face. She brightened my day whenever I saw her.
Kathryn J. Stiles Cook
March 1, 2010
To Gale's Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Gale will be missed so much for her friendships and professionalism while she was here at VTC Enterprises. I spoke to Gale via the phone for the first time 21 years ago while she was living in Sylmar.
Instead of me interviewing her for the position, she interviewed me!! (Our agency must have passed with flying colors because she stayed here 21 years.) During the phone call, when she interviewed me, I immediately knew I loved her. Gale was a "take charge" type of person. I loved it. I gave her parameters for her projects, she took the bull by the horns, and I stayed out of her way because I knew it would be right.
Gale was a pilar of strength for the people she served. She knew their every need and was often the first to spot any condition or change in the individual. As a result, her folks lead a higher quality life.
On the personal side, Gale and I talked about her feral cats, how proud she was of her niece's horse program, and her love for her family. She loved you all.
They say people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Gale definetly had a lifetime impact on mine. It is with deep sorrow that I say good bye to Gale. But she will live forever in my heart and memories.
Kathryn J. Stiles Cook
Director of Rehabilitation
Kathryn J. Stiles Cook
March 1, 2010
To Gale's Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Gale will be missed so much for her friendships and professionalism while she was here at VTC Enterprises. I spoke to Gale via the phone for the first time 21 years ago while she was living in Sylmar.
Instead of me interviewing her for the position, she interviewed me!! (Our agency must have passed with flying colors because she stayed here 21 years.) During that phone call where she interviewed me, I immediately knew I loved her. Gale was a "take charge" type of person. I loved it. I gave her parameters for her projects, she took the bull by the horns, and I stayed out of her way because I knew it would be right.
On the personal side, Gale and I talked about her feral cats, how proud she was of her niece's horse program, and her love for her family. She loved you all.
They say people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Gale definetly had a lifetime impact on mine. It is with deep sorrow that I say good bye to Gale. But she will live forever in my heart and memories.
Kathryn J. Stiles Cook
Director of Rehabilitation
Lori Lee
March 1, 2010
My deepest sympathy goes out to Gale's family and friends. Every day I expect to see Gale walking around VTC and letting me know when lawn bowling is starting up again. The individuals we serve at VTC were able to participate in so many activities thanks to Gale's creativity. Gale is truly missed by all of us.
Katrina D'hoedt
March 1, 2010
My Dear friend Gale, how you will be missed! For 19 years I watched you care for the seniors with such compassion and assertiveness. I wish I had only a fraction of your creative talents. I will greatly miss our talks at the end of every day. I still look for you to walk through my door and express your feelings of the day as only those who knew you know what that meant. I have the fondest of memories of your wonderful laugh and am blessed to have known you and to have been taught by you. Your legacy will live on in all those you touched here at VTC. Love, Katrina
Carey Reimer
February 28, 2010
Dear Holly and Terry: I'm sending up prayers for your comfort and sending goodness your way. Sincerely, Carey Reimer
Carey Reimer
February 28, 2010
Oh Gale, sweet as Easter candy, your shell so easily broken away to reveal your squishy-soft heart. How many times over the years did I tell you that you're made of marshmallow? We all knew it, and there you would be trying to act tough! We'll miss your sense of humor, your generosity, your brilliant ideas, your creativity, your New York-ness, and your sea-colored eyes which you got from your father. And I, for one, will miss how you would mimic the questioning meows of Cozy & Sasha when telling about their latest antics. Thanks for all that you did and for the enormous and lasting difference you made. Love to you, Carey
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