Victoria Graham (Shelton), age 78 of Orland Park, IL was called to be with our Lord on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 after suffering years of painful illnesses.

Vicki Graham was born March 9, 1945 and graduated from Schulte High School in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1963. After receiving her undergraduate degree in education from Indiana State University in 1967, she married her soulmate, Bob Graham, on Nov 25, 1967. When they first met – Bob told her that his heart beat like popcorn whenever he would see her, and to this day, it has never stopped poppin’.  Vicki was so deeply in love with Bob and so proud of the home and life they built together.   She thought he was handsome and funny and was so thankful he could fix everything from electric and carpentry, to a broken toy or a broken heart.  “Give it to Papa, he’ll fix it.”  They would have celebrated their 56^th wedding anniversary next month.

Vicki is survived by her husband; her children, Robbie and Kristin; her sister, Mary Jane Mitchell; and so many of her beloved nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Each one claiming to be her favorite.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Harriet Shelton; and her sister, Susan Walker.

Vicki was devoted to her family and her faith.  If there was a committee starting at Our Lady of Knock Church, Vicki was the first one waving her hand to volunteer.  She was a proud founding member of the Parish Pastoral Council along with being a representative on the Liturgy Committee and the director of Communion Ministers. She was a devoted member of the Our Lady of Knock Guitar Group. Vicki skillfully recorded and mixed the voices and instruments at the soundboard and tracked the group’s song lists making sure they were liturgically correct.  And yes – you could even hear her playing tambourine on special songs like “I Am the Resurrection.”

Everyone remembers her big beaming smile and her quick wit.  (Keeping up with the Graham humor is always a full-time job.)  She loved quotes, yet would sometimes get them wrong.  A family favorite was “I love you from my head to my tomatoes.”  That was…close enough, mom. And it would be followed by huge laughter.

Vicki empathized with everyone she would meet.  She was a true listener.  With grace and ease unmatched by many of us, she would set her chronic pain aside to console and support family, friends, and even strangers.  She was a cheerleader for all, never missing a single-family event, performance, or sporting game.   She was always the loudest one in the bleachers. And sometimes would get a little too close to the sidelines.  More often than not, you could hear a “Sit down, Vicki!” from the officials.

She was naturally skillful in bringing people together and keeping them together.  Photos were very important to Vicki.  “How will I remember this unless we have a photo? Everyone gather up and smile!” She understood what cohesion meant for a family and a community.

She was everyone’s mom. Friends and family would consider themselves lucky to receive a treasured Facebook comment from Vicki.  They understood the energy it would take to post, and how much love was poured into every single word.  “I love you and there is nothing you can do about it.”  To some, a threat! To the rest of us, a big loving scoop of compassion that fills up our soul. You can’t earn it. You can’t buy it.  It’s her unconditional love that she gave freely.

Most of all, she was overflowing with pride over her two children. She was so proud of her Union electrician son who is an HOA president, and her Emmy award-winning executive producer daughter.  Vicki would watch EVERY show Kristin produced, then freeze-frame on her name in the credits so she could grab a pic on her phone.

The celebration of her life would be remiss without noting the legacy that she leaves of her undaunted physical and moral strength. Somehow, Vicki figured out how to make the very best life out of the cards she was dealt, wanting to present an Easter life, and Easter faith, while living in a Good Friday body.

We will be inspired to be better, stronger, and more giving for the rest of our days because of Vicki.

The perfect wife, a beautiful mother, and the most compassionate friend.

God so loves us that, by his grace, he transforms our darkest nights into the morning light of hope; by his wisdom, he transfigures our Good Friday despair into Easter joy; by his compassion, he heals our broken spirits into hearts made whole. 

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30am on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Our Lady of Knock Catholic Church 501 163^rd St. Calumet City, IL 60409.  Burial will take place immediately after Mass at Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery 16201 104^th Ave, Orland Park, IL 60467.  Luncheon to follow.  Wake Services on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 4pm to 7pm at Kish Funeral Home 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, Indiana 46321.

Instead of flowers – please do an unsolicited act of kindness to an unexpecting soul in Vicki’s name.

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