Barabara Ann Graham passed away unexpectedly from a heart issue on October 3, 2025. Barb was born in Minneapolis, MN, on February 17, 1952. She was the 4th of 5 children of Alice and Donald Graham. Barb graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1970. In her youth she was footloose and fancy free, moving around the country for a number of years, before returning to MN to settle permanently in Minneapolis in the late 1970’s. She was a single mother and worked hard to raise her beautiful daughter, Meg. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Minneapolis Community Technical College in 1987. Barb had a decades long career working for the City of Minneapolis in a number of roles including at the Fire Department, the Convention Center, and most recently at the Utility Billing Department, from which she retired in 2018.

Barb was renowned for her meticulously wrapped presents (which were so gorgeous it was a shame to unwrap them), her birthday & holiday texts to the family, and her sharing of city and neighborhood information. She was a homebody, whose passions included decorating, cooking, and gardening. She whipped up delicious dishes and baked goods that she shared with her co-workers during her working years. And, once retired, she continued to prepare and share her specialties, to the delight of her family and friends.

Barb’s yard was her canvas, and each year it was a new masterpiece. Her phenomenal roses, hostas, Asiatic Lilies and other perennials were the structure upon which she built, using a different palette of annuals to create amazing beauty. Her Instagram posts of her garden were delightful and justifiably renowned. She more than dabbled, but was a veritable encyclopedia of plant knowledge, and knew the names and requirements of everything she grew.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Patrick. She is survived by her daughter Meghan Graham, her siblings Bernie Graham, Gail Graham and Colleen Graham, (John Garrett), her niece Anna Johnson, her grand-nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog Finnegan, of whom she shared custody with Meghan.

Barb will be remembered as a generous, engaged and loving spirit. She will be missed by many.

The family will be holding a celebration of life on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 3 to 6 PM, at the Cremation Society of MN, First Memorial Waterston Chapel, 4343 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55409. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to Twin Cities PBS.