Obituary for Helen Marie McGraw (Nick)
Helen Marie (Nick) McGraw, 91, of Bonner Springs, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on November 30, 2021. Services will be on Monday, December 6 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 5501 Monticello Rd, Shawnee, Kansas 66226. Rosary begins at 10:30 A.M. followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. Following the Mass, friends and family are invited to a luncheon in the Sacred Heart Multi-Purpose Center. Services will conclude with Christian burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Memorial contributions can be made in Helen’s memory to the Sacred Heart Parish and School Endowment.
Helen was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1930. She was the eldest of eight children of William and Helen Nick. She graduated from Bishop Ward High School and then worked as a secretary at Kansas State Grain. Shortly thereafter, she met Gene McGraw, the love of her life, at a dance in Basehor, KS. They married in 1950, were life members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bonner Springs and Shawnee. While raising their seven children, Helen filled their home with love, grace, faith, and humility. She loved spending time with her husband and children, her seven siblings, and opening her home to many friends and family. For years, she enjoyed working for the Veterinary Medicine Publishing Company as a Circulation Manager.
Later in life, Helen found so much joy in spending time with her 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She attended their numerous events, creating many special moments with them. She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Gene; her parents William and Helen; one sister Mildred Romey, and one brother David Nick. She is survived by her seven children: Mike McGraw (JoDee), Olathe, KS; Pat McGraw (Susan), Oklahoma City, OK; Theresa Schuman (Steve), Basehor, KS; Maura Nulton (Carnie), KCMO; Carol Farnsworth (Steve), Bonner Springs, KS; Tim McGraw (Jane), Shawnee, KS; Melissa Hornback (Joe), Shawnee, KS; her many grandchildren and great grandchildren; two brothers, William (Bill) Nick and Joe Nick; and three sisters Rosalie Kelly, Elizabeth Stafford, and Rita Crubel.
She will be greatly missed but her family finds comfort in these words in her favorite prayer, The Magnificat: “The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”
Helen was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1930. She was the eldest of eight children of William and Helen Nick. She graduated from Bishop Ward High School and then worked as a secretary at Kansas State Grain. Shortly thereafter, she met Gene McGraw, the love of her life, at a dance in Basehor, KS. They married in 1950, were life members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bonner Springs and Shawnee. While raising their seven children, Helen filled their home with love, grace, faith, and humility. She loved spending time with her husband and children, her seven siblings, and opening her home to many friends and family. For years, she enjoyed working for the Veterinary Medicine Publishing Company as a Circulation Manager.
Later in life, Helen found so much joy in spending time with her 23 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She attended their numerous events, creating many special moments with them. She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Gene; her parents William and Helen; one sister Mildred Romey, and one brother David Nick. She is survived by her seven children: Mike McGraw (JoDee), Olathe, KS; Pat McGraw (Susan), Oklahoma City, OK; Theresa Schuman (Steve), Basehor, KS; Maura Nulton (Carnie), KCMO; Carol Farnsworth (Steve), Bonner Springs, KS; Tim McGraw (Jane), Shawnee, KS; Melissa Hornback (Joe), Shawnee, KS; her many grandchildren and great grandchildren; two brothers, William (Bill) Nick and Joe Nick; and three sisters Rosalie Kelly, Elizabeth Stafford, and Rita Crubel.
She will be greatly missed but her family finds comfort in these words in her favorite prayer, The Magnificat: “The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”