Ruth Graeff

Ruth Holbrook Graeff, (101) of Peterborough, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2022 at Summerhill Assisted Living, where she had lived for the last 11 years. She was born in Washington, DC on December 22, 1920, the daughter of Elmer and Edith (Brookfield) Holbrook.

She was raised in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburg, PA, and graduated from the University of Pittsburg with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.  She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and continued to be an active alum throughout her married life.  Throughout her childhood, Ruth spent summers at the beloved family farm on Fish Hatchery Road in Richmond NH.  Known as the Noah Perry farm, it had been in the Perry/Holbrook family for generations.  She also attended Camp Takoda in Richmond. 

She married Alton Graeff of Sinking Spring PA in 1945 and remained married until his death in 2008.  They moved first to Piqua, Ohio, but later settled in Lansing Michigan where they raised their children and remained there until Alton retired.  Upon retirement, they lived in various locations in Florida, N. Carolina and Sun City, Hilton Head, S. Carolina.  In each of these locations, she found ways to volunteer at hospitals as a Grey Lady or to fundraise for the local  SPCA.  They then relocated to Riverglen Assisted Living in Littleton, NH before Ruth settled in Peterborough.  Ruth is remembered for her laughter, grit, independence, generosity, love of the outdoors and zest for life.  She was an avid knitter and talented flower arranger.

She is predeceased by her parents, brothers John and Allen, and sisters Dorothy and Katherine and her daughter Susan (Graeff) Boynton and infant daughter.  She is survived by her daughters Judith Graeff (Douglas Proops) of Peterborough/New York, Marjorie Swenson (Gary) of Peterborough/Peacham, VT, son Thomas Graeff of Burnsville, MN, and 4 grandchildren.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at Summerhill Assisted Living in Peterborough.  The family would like to thank the staff at Summerhill for their skill and caring to make Ruth’s last years some of the best of her life and her final days, peaceful.

She will be interred next to her husband in Peacham VT in the fall.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s name may be made to: Monadnock Humane Society, 101 Swanzey Rd., Swanzey, NH 03446 or to Copper Cannon Camp, P.O. Box 124, Gale River Road, Franconia, NH 03580.

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