It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Morgana Graham on March 9, 2019 after a short stay at Grace Hospital.

 

Left to mourn are her loving husband of 64 years, Thomas; children Thomas Jr., Kate McCoubrey (Tom), Richard (Shannon) and grandchildren Karen, Molly, Steven, Rory and Jeremy. Morgana is also survived by her two sisters, Elizabeth Parker and Marilyn Egan. She was predeceased by her mother, Dorothy and step-father, Morris Payne.

 

Morgana lived a rich life of many experiences and seemed to take on new names with each one. She was born Martha Minnette Ziegenbein, in Lincoln, Nebraska to James and Dorothy Ziegenbein. She grew up surrounded by music as her father's family was noted locally for their musical talents. At the age of 3 she became known as Bunny, for the white rabbit fur coat, hat and muff she adored, and carried that nickname throughout her school days. When she was 10 years old, her divorced mother remarried and she became Martha Minette Payne and began her musical studies playing piano and organ.

 

Morgana went on to study music at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where she met her lifelong sweetheart, Thomas Graham, a Lutheran Seminary student. They married on August 28, 1954 and she became Martha M. Graham. After the birth of their first two children the family moved to Petaling Jaya, Malaysia to work as missionaries and welcomed their third child before returning to Nebraska in 1960. The family moved again in 1969, this time to Winnipeg, and she became a church organist/choir director and music teacher working for Yamaha Music Studios. Martha continued to study and worked hard to earn the title of Master of Church Music from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois in 1987. In 1995, she legally changed her name to Martha Morgana Graham and was known as Morgana ever since.

 

Morgana was very expressive and pursued the arts in many different ways: playing, composing and listening to music, writing prose and poetry, as well as drawing and painting, finding a different voice in each area. She has passed down her love of the arts to her children and grandchildren and shared it with her many close friends. Her voice may have fallen silent but it will continue to echo in those she loved and who loved her.

 

The family wishes to thank Rev. Paul Lampman of St. Luke's Anglican Church and Charlotte LaFleche, R.N., for their loving and compassionate support of Morgana over the years.

 

Friends and relatives are encouraged to share in a eulogy, stories, and condolences for the family by commenting in the section on the right-hand side.

 

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was be held on Monday, March 18, 2019 at the St. Luke's Anglican Church, 130 Nassau St. N.

 

If preferred, in lieu of flowers, donations in Morgana's memory may be made to St. Luke's Anglican Church or in support of the Arts.