Dolores Ann Graff

Dolores Ann Graff (nee Pettit), 78, of Fairmount, Philadelphia went to Heaven on January 6, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband, Francis Joseph “Booty” Graff, and is survived by her children Francis J. Graff IV (Colleen), David John Graff (Linda) and Jeanine Marie Olsson (Adam), six grandchildren who were the light of her life: Derek (Gianna), Alexandra, Kylie, Frankie V, Fiona and Devon; her sister Dottie Pettit Rute and her brother Stephen Pettit (Maria); sister-in-law Anne Marie Pettit, brother-in-law Joseph Bradley, as well as many nieces and nephews. Dolores was born and raised in Fairmount, the oldest daughter and second child of James and Jean Pettit of 25th Street. She was predeceased by her other four siblings, James J. Pettit, Jr. (Anna), Regina Bradley (Joe), Laurence Pettit and his wife Theresa, and Irene Pettit. After graduating from Hallahan Catholic Girls High School, Dolores went to work for Reliance Insurance Company, where she was named Miss Reliance in 1964. After Reliance, she became the Executive Assistant to the President of the Philadelphia Zoo, where she stayed until her retirement. Dolores and Booty met when she was 12 years old, and he was her one and only love. They married on August 5, 1967 and raised their three children on 25th Street, across the street from where she had grown up. She had a very strong faith, and was a lifelong practicing Catholic, first at St. Francis Xavier Church, where she also attended elementary school and where she sent her children, and more recently at Church of the Holy Family in Manayunk. Dolores loved the Jersey shore, where she spent summers as a child, and then later took her own children for vacation. She and Booty moved to Sea Isle for a few years after retirement, spending their summers there and their winters in Puerto Rico, where they found a close group of “snowbird” friends. But her greatest love was her family, and she was a strong matriarch for them all and will be missed terribly. Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral Mass at 11 am on January 11 at St. Francis Xavier Church the Oratory, 24th & Green Sts., Philadelphia. Friends may call at the Dinan Funeral Home, 1921-23 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia on Tuesday evening January 10 from 7-9 pm, and on Wednesday morning from 9-10:30 am at St. Francis Xavier Church the Oratory before the Mass. Her internment at Calvary Cemetery in Conshohocken, PA will occur on a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be welcomed in her name to St. Francis Xavier School.

Dolores Ann Graff

January 6, 2023

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Dolores Ann Graff

January 6, 2023

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