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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Miriam S. Degraff
Miriam S.
Degraff
Feb 14, 1916 — Jun 22, 2008
Miriam S. Degraff's Obituary
Miriam S. DeGraff 92 longtime resident of Ormond Beach and Holly Hill Florida died peacefully June 22 with her family at her side.
She was the beloved matriarch of the family. Her marriage of 52 years to John G. DeGraff a book publisher who died in 1999 created a loving support system that buoyed her family through marvelous adventures her entire life.
She loved Florida and wintered in Ormond Beach starting in 1972 gradually increasing her annual visits there until she and John moved to the area full time in 1997.
She was born Miriam Frances Pickles on Valentine's Day February 14 1916 in Brooklyn New York. Her parents were of English descent.
At age 8 Miriam and her infant sister Clara were orphaned. Both children were raised by her great aunt Louisa Strickland. In 1926 Louisa adopted the two girls and her name was changed to Miriam Frances Strickland.
She attended Packer Collegiate Institute and in addition to being president of her class all four years she made life-long friendships with her schoolmates there.
After graduating New York University she became Assistant to the Director of the brand-new Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. She was in touch with everything revolving around that progressive cutting-edge art museum.
She and John married in 1941. During WWII she raised two children while John served in the Navy. After the War they returned to NYC and later moved to the suburbs living in Ardsley-on-Hudson Scarsdale and later Clinton Corners New York.
She is survived by her daughter Jan S. DeGraff of Ormond Beach FL. sons and daughters-in-law: J. Garrett DeGraff Jr. and Margaret B. DeGraff of West Hempstead NY and Mattituck NY Duncan B. DeGraff and Eileen M. DeGraff of Germantown MD and Fairfield VA. Four grandchildren: Scott N. DeGraff Daytona Beach FL Laura D. Cole and Andrew Cole Jacksonville FL John Garrett DeGraff III and Kelly DeGraff Flagstaff AZ and Caroline M. DeGraff New York NY. In addition there are three great grandchildren: Andrew B. Cole Ashley E. Cole Jacksonville FL and John Garrett DeGraff IV Flagstaff AZ.
A private memorial service was held on June 23.
She was the beloved matriarch of the family. Her marriage of 52 years to John G. DeGraff a book publisher who died in 1999 created a loving support system that buoyed her family through marvelous adventures her entire life.
She loved Florida and wintered in Ormond Beach starting in 1972 gradually increasing her annual visits there until she and John moved to the area full time in 1997.
She was born Miriam Frances Pickles on Valentine's Day February 14 1916 in Brooklyn New York. Her parents were of English descent.
At age 8 Miriam and her infant sister Clara were orphaned. Both children were raised by her great aunt Louisa Strickland. In 1926 Louisa adopted the two girls and her name was changed to Miriam Frances Strickland.
She attended Packer Collegiate Institute and in addition to being president of her class all four years she made life-long friendships with her schoolmates there.
After graduating New York University she became Assistant to the Director of the brand-new Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. She was in touch with everything revolving around that progressive cutting-edge art museum.
She and John married in 1941. During WWII she raised two children while John served in the Navy. After the War they returned to NYC and later moved to the suburbs living in Ardsley-on-Hudson Scarsdale and later Clinton Corners New York.
She is survived by her daughter Jan S. DeGraff of Ormond Beach FL. sons and daughters-in-law: J. Garrett DeGraff Jr. and Margaret B. DeGraff of West Hempstead NY and Mattituck NY Duncan B. DeGraff and Eileen M. DeGraff of Germantown MD and Fairfield VA. Four grandchildren: Scott N. DeGraff Daytona Beach FL Laura D. Cole and Andrew Cole Jacksonville FL John Garrett DeGraff III and Kelly DeGraff Flagstaff AZ and Caroline M. DeGraff New York NY. In addition there are three great grandchildren: Andrew B. Cole Ashley E. Cole Jacksonville FL and John Garrett DeGraff IV Flagstaff AZ.
A private memorial service was held on June 23.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
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