Mary Graham
<p>Mary Ada Shelley Graham</p>
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Pioneer, Libby and the Fisher River country lost a great friend with the passing of Mary Ada Shelley Graham on Sunday, June 28, 2015. Ada was born in Libby May 5, 1936, the fourth child of the late Raymond and Ethel (Williams) Shelley.
She spent her early years at their home on the Silver Butte River south of Libby. In her youth she was a dedicated fisherwoman. After graduation from Libby High School, she spent some time with her sister Marie in California, but returned to Libby. Her first marriage was to Art Polette and later, in 1970, she married Ira V. Graham. During their 31 years of marriage Ada and I.V. had homes in California, Missoula, Kalispell, on the Kenai River in Alaska, in Anchorage, Yuma, Ariz., and finally again in Libby. She always signed off her emails with “Always Leaving.”
They loved fishing, hunting, traveling the United States and playing cards; she was a fierce pinochle and cribbage player. Their homes were always open to all of their family and many, many friends that wished to visit and enjoy Ada and I.V.’s outstanding and very generous hospitality. Ada was a wonderful cook and kept everyone fed.
During their early years in Alaska, Ada owned and operated a very successful small electrical engine repair shop. They eventually moved back home to Libby, where Ada resided until her death.
Ada was preceded in death by her husband Ira, parents Raymond and Ethel, two brothers, Raymond and Dick, and two sisters, Phyllis and Marie.
She is survived by her partner and caregiver of the last 14 years, Billy Schikora, Jr.; her son Jim (Terry) Polette; grandchildren Breanna and Nick of Vancouver, Wash.; brother Trevert (Mary) Shelley of Stevensville; sister-in-law Dorothy Shelley of Libby; stepchildren and their families, Jay, Jeff, Jack Graham and Laurie Graham Brossman and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 9, 2015, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 1 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.