Barbara (Faling) McGraw passed away on June 23, 2023 at the age of 87. She was born April 10, 1936 to parents Edwin Faling and Grace (Travis) Faling of Hancock. They had two children Barbara (McGraw) and Beverly Faling (Peters). She graduated from Hancock High School in 1955, married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Albert Raymond McGraw in 1956 and together they had eight children where they built their home in French Woods, Hancock.
Barbara raised her eight children on her own after the death of her husband Albert in 1966 at age 31 to a tragic logging accident. She never remarried. She was a strong willed, loving and kind woman and always put her children first. She was also a no-nonsense woman and would speak her mind when she felt it was necessary. Barbara was a member of the French Woods Church and enrolled her children in Bible studies. The children used to help to distribute food baskets to families in need. She instilled in them a strong work ethic from an early age.
Barbara also volunteered as the 4H leader for Delaware County in French Woods, providing education, guidance, fun, and taught the importance of family and service to many young girls. She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church until converting many years ago to the Catholic faith, where she served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Hancock. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters and Eastern Star.
Barbara played clarinet in high school and in a local community orchestra for a number of years and enjoyed music. She loved to paint pictures of woodland animals, especially of deer in her earlier years. She was naturally artistically talented and was also an avid crocheter. She crocheted many hats, booties, and mittens for family members, and donated to local churches and charities for children.
Barbara worked at Ceramacraft & Florals in Hancock, making floral arrangements for about 30 years while simultaneously working as Town of Hancock Tax Collector for 54 years. She only faced one challenger for this elected position in more than five decades and won handily, a testament to the respect she earned from the community in that role. She received the Delaware County Republican of the Year award in 2015 for her exemplary public service. She was a perfectionist in her work and was always friendly and helpful to anyone who had questions about their taxes.
She is survived by her children Scott (Leslie) McGraw, Linda (Tim) Kulikowski, Kirk (Nancy) McGraw, Edwin McGraw, Susan (Martin) Sarday, Beatrice (Steven) Nevin, Mark (Carol) McGraw, and Julie McGraw; her sister Beverly (Faling) Peters, 19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Predeceasing her were two grandsons.
She loved each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. She loved holding each new baby that came into the family. Nothing brought her more joy than to have her children and grandchildren visit or call her to say hello and chat. She will be very missed and is now in heaven with her beloved late husband Albert and her parents. Her legacy and the strong role model she exemplified for the entire family will live on for many years. She taught everyone who loved or met her about the importance of family, faith in God, and service to others, leading by example.
Calling hours will be held Friday, June 30 from 5-7 p.m. at Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, July 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 346 W. Main Street, Hancock. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Hancock.
