Obituary - Jane Warwick O’Neill Graham

Jane Warwick O’Neill Graham, died February 4, 2023. Born June 5, 1920, in Charlottesville, Virginia, she was the daughter of Charles Thomas O’Neill and Jane Gordon Warwick O’Neill. She attended St. Anne’s School and graduated from Lane High School, Charlottesville, Virginia. Jane attended Converse College for one year and then transferred to the University of Virginia, where she graduated in June 1942 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

After World War II began, she enrolled in the United States Navy’s first class of WAVE officers and graduated from Smith College with her class in January 1943. She was stationed in the Office of Communication, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. until January 15, 1946. Jane attained the rank of Lieutenant USNR. She was a coder working outside the office of Admiral King, sending and receiving coded messages to the Allied ships in the Atlantic. During WWII, no troops were lost in transport across the Atlantic Ocean. That was her job.

She married Dr. Sam D. Graham on March 28, 1946. They lived in Staunton, Virginia from 1953 to 1997. At that time, they moved to The Hermitage at Cedarfield.

Jane was a member of the Colonial Dames of America in Virginia, Augusta Garden Club of Staunton, the Garden Club of Virginia and the Garden Club of America. She was an avid duplicate bridge player.

In addition to her husband of almost 77 years, she is survived by four children, Dr. Sam Dixon Graham, Jr., Gordon Craig Graham (Elaine Z. Graham), Dr. Richard Warwick Graham and Sallie Trigg Graham (James A. Smith); and her grandchildren, Sarah Graham Seward (Timothy), Emily Graham Teeter (Jay), Carter Graham Holt (Mark), Richard Graham, Jr. (Gracie), Harrison Graham (Elizabeth), Karsten Graham, Berend Graham, Gordon McCormick (Meredith) and Catherine McCormick. She had 17 great-grandchildren at last count. Two grandsons predeceased her, Graham McCormick and William McCormick.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 10, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1229l River Road, Richmond. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UVA Leukemia Research, c/o Dr. Michael E. Williams.