Margaret Jean Graham (1959 - 2024)

It is with great sadness our family announces the passing of Maggie Graham (Statchen), 64, of Lewiston, California. On Monday January 8th 2024 Maggie passed peacefully in her home surrounded by family while listening to “Amazing Grace” which she believed painted a beautiful picture of heaven. She was born March 30, 1959 in Palo Alto, California, to Nancy Ann Woodring and Hank Statchen, the youngest of their children.

Maggie had a childhood that was highlighted with memories of family togetherness. Filled with many celebrations and excursions to: Camp Wawona, Santa Cruz, Henry Cowell State Park as well as many outdoor adventures. She had many fond memories of time spent with her sisters, cousins, and other extended family members. Later in life she learned of her adopted eldest brother, Roy Sowers, and felt so much joy when she was able to reconnect with him.

Maggie met her husband of 43 years, Mike Graham, at Fargo’s Night Club in Mountain View, California in 1978. They married in 1981 at Kelly Park in San Jose, California and welcomed three children: Nikki, Doug, and Katie. Mike and Maggie raised their family in San Jose, California. They enjoyed years of camping, boating, quarter midget racing, and many family activities.

Throughout her life Maggie took every opportunity to spend time in her children’s lives through volunteer work at the school and in their extracurricular activities. She was their biggest cheerleader at all of her children’s events, never missing one. Maggie always stepped up to be the team leader, in girl scouts, yearbook, talent show, book fair, or cheer mom.

After raising their family, in 2018, Maggie and Mike moved to Lewiston, California to their next adventure: reopen the historic “Lewiston Hotel”. Together they tackled renovating a 1899 stagecoach stop all while building priceless family memories. One day, Maggie ventured over to the Old Lewiston School House Library. She fell in love with the historic one room schoolhouse that is a community library and museum. Soon after her first visit, Maggie began volunteering her time and enjoyed learning about the history of the region and became quite the historian. Maggie loved her time spent at the library and was committed to its preservation.

Throughout her life, Maggie promoted the values of a strong and close-knit family. She effortlessly became the matriarch of the family. She always provided a place for friends, family, and neighbors to gather to: create new memories, celebrate life’s special moments, and honor family traditions. Maggie hosted many birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, and other life celebrations. Her faith in God brought her comfort in her life and helped her be at peace through the trials she faced with her illness. 

Everyone was always welcome in Maggie’s home which felt like a warm hug the moment you walked through the door. She was a kind, thoughtful, and giving person, who always put others before herself. She was a devoted friend, wife, mother, cousin, aunt, sister, grandmother, “stand in mom” and so much more to everyone who knew her. She was an amazing grandmother to her eight grandchildren who lovingly called her “GG”. Maggie truly treasured the time spent with her grandchildren and was always ready with a new activity, book or adventure to share with them.

Maggie loved her family unconditionally.

Maggie is survived by her husband of 43 years Mike Graham, and their children: Nikki and Jeff Dunkin, Doug and Alexus Graham, Katie and Kyle Cox. She is also survived by her sisters: Nani Kalthoff, Liz McGinnis, and brother, Roy Sowers, as well as by her eight grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom Maggie cherished dearly.

Maggie was predeceased by her mother and father, Nancy Ann Woodring and Hank Statchen, and her sister, Carol Icard.

To honor Maggie’s life and celebrate her memories the family will be hosting a celebration of life at The Lewiston Hotel on Saturday, June 8th at 1p.m. Please refer to the Events tab for more information.

To honor Maggie’s commitment to her community and to continue her legacy of giving. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations can be made through the "Give" tab on this memorial page. All donations will be used to refresh the children’s corner at the Old Lewiston School House Library including the purchase of new books and activity sets. Our goal is to make a commemorative children's corner and a welcoming place for all children in our community including Maggie’s grandchildren to visit in her memory.

And it is important to note that in her final days, Mike realized that Maggie was always right. 

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