Barbara GRAHAM

Barbara Morton Graham, known to some of her friends as BAT, was born on April 13, 1935 in Alliance, OH to George E. Morton and Ethel O. Derry George was a radar engineer with Ratheon. Ethel played saxophone, fronting for a band in the 1920's, then later worked for a printing company. Barbara was their only child. Barb left this earthly realm on Sunday, April 20, 2014.

She married James C. Graham on August 15,1954 in Cleveland, Ohio. They lived in Ohio, Azusa, CA, and San Anselmo CA; and had two sons: Anthony Crawford Graham and James Chase Graham.

Barbara created a new home with Marcia Gallas, (originally from North Miami Beach, Florida), in May, 1984. They resided in Novato CA, Greenville, SC, and Cincinnati (Blue Ash) OH. They were married on September 8, 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Barbara was a pre-med student at Kent State University and then years later, attended the College of Marin where she took numerous classes, most notably chemistry, orchestra and band. She belonged to a number of bands and community orchestras and worked as an orchestra manager for Marin Civic Light Opera. Barbara took up the trade of industrial electrician in Greenville and worked for several companies including Fluor Fernald in Ross, OH.

Barbara delighted in all things nature. She especially loved trees, bats, her cats and a good thunderstorm! She was also a musician, having played violin, alto saxophone, French Horn, banjo, ukulele and viola. She was an accomplished, award winning sailor, racing her prized Thunderbird Sailboat,"Ethel O", to victories on San Francisco Bay, and was a member of the Motor Maids women's motorcycle riding organization. She loved to ride her Kawaski Vulcan 750 motorcycle she dubbed, "Sophie" and rode right up until October, 2013.

Barbara touched so many lives with her selfless acts of kindness. Her wit and wisdom will be sorely missed.

Barbara is survived by her loving wife Marcia Gallas of Blue Ash, OH, sons Tony Graham and wife Vangie of Neshkoro, WI, James Graham and wife Peggy of Boulder Creek, CA, and grandchildren, Nikki Patten of Queen Creek, AZ, Kyle Graham of Tempe, AZ , Triona Graham and Brigid Graham of Vallejo, CA, Keiva Hummel of Oakland, CA, and Lauren Katz of Boulder Creek, CA. Cousins Charles Derry and husband Thomas Kohn of Palm Springs, CA, Denise Preucel and Max Gast of Cleveland, OH.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Barbara's name to Hospice of Cincinnati. A celebration of Barbara's life in story and song will be held on Saturday, May 31st at 2PM at St. John's Unitarian Church. 320 Resor Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220. Friends will be encouraged to tell stories about Barb (Bat). Refreshments will be served after the memorial as we continue to celebrate Barb's life on earth.