Kathleen B. Graff
Kathleen B. Graff, 89, of Washington, passed away peacefully Monday, August 28, 2023. She was born November 15, 1933, in Weirton, W.Va., a daughter of the late Ralph and Cloma Helen Barone.
Kathleen graduated from Mount DeChantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling, W.Va. After graduation from “The Mount,” she enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in political science and languages. While attending Pitt, Kathleen was a member of the German Club and Chi Omega Sorority. She performed in the annual Spring Festivals held at the university.
Upon graduation from Pitt, Kathleen worked for her father at Barone Realty Company and in the evenings attended the College of Steubenville (now Franciscan University) in Steubenville, Ohio.
Upon completion of her studies there, she applied for and was accepted at the Officers Candidates School in Newport, R.I., where she received basic training.
Kathleen graduated as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Her first assignment was as a cryptographer at the U.S. Naval Amphibious Academy in Little Creek, Va., where she was the first female officer ever stationed there. While at Little Creek, she and a number of other officers established a Little Theater Group. Kathleen performed the lead in “You Can’t Take It With You” and “Laura”.
From Little Creek, she was assigned to the Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, Ill. There, Kathleen was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade and worked in the Admiral’s office as a mobilization planning officer by day and a cryptographer at night.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, she taught elementary school on a substitute basis in the Round Lake and Wilmette areas, before teaching full-time in Northbrook, Ill.
Kathleen returned to the Pittsburgh area, where she enrolled at Duquesne University and received her teaching certification in Pennsylvania. She taught in the Keystone Oaks School District from which she retired in 1995. Kathleen then did substitute teaching in the Trinity School District.
She loved her family dearly. Kathleen’s interests included reading, attending education lectures, traveling, studying music, and cooking and baking.
Surviving are her beloved son, James J. Barrett; her dear husband, Donald J. Graff; a stepdaughter, Cindy (Brett) Keefer; and step-grandchildren, Brett Keefer and Heather Graff; a brother, John Barone; a sister, Denese Barone Ellis; and stepdaughter-in-law, Kathy Graff. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a stepson, Donald J. Graff, Jr.; a brother, Ralph Barone; and a sister-in-law, Patty Barone.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 31, in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at E. Katherine Avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, owner / supervisor, S. Timothy Warco II, director, Holly Renay Warco, director, Park N. Crosier, director. A prayer service will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, September 1, in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington, with the Rev. Mike Zavage as celebrant. Entombment will follow at the Washington Cemetery, Garden Mausoleum.
Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.