Deborah Ann McGraw

Surrounded by family, Deborah Ann (HUNKELE) McGraw died at home after a courageous 12 year battle with cancer. She was 74. Loving spouse, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend, Debbie lived life fully. She lived hers in a compelling spirit of strength, integrity, kindness and grace, reflected in a dazzling smile, which immediately drew people to her. She was born in Newark, NJ and graduated with honors from Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls NJ. She attended Montclair State University and & Katharine Gibbs Business College. Three children from a first marriage to Edward ‘Ned’ Connolly, MD, survive her: Sean Connolly, Kristin (Barnes) Connolly, and Eli Connolly, as do two stepchildren: Sean McGraw and Maureen McGraw. She is also survived by her husband of 36 years, David, and her devoted Old English Sheepdog, Lexie, as well as three beloved grandchildren: Shamus Berry, Breanna Connolly, and Asher Connolly. After Debbie’s children were well into high school she began a career in retail business, which included positions at Papyrus in Berkeley, BATUS Corporation in North Carolina, and Peet’s Coffee & Tea in Berkeley, where she rose through various management positions to VP of Retail Operations & Merchandising. In retirement Debbie spent time on the board of the Berkeley City Club, where she restored the hotel room portion of the club to its original Julia Morgan elegance. Deborah & David traveled widely in North America and Europe. Debbie especially loved Italy, its people and culture, returning many times. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 2808 Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland, CA on Friday, Oct 23 at 11 a.m.