Obituary of Anne Patricia Graham King

Anne Patricia Graham King passed away in Boise, Idaho, on July 20, 2023, at the age of 87 from complications related to cancer and COPD.  

Anne was born on September 4, 1935, in Norwood, Massachusetts, to Martin and Julia (Clancy) Thornton, the youngest of four children.  Anne graduated from Norwood Senior High School in 1954.  Never one to sit still, Anne spent a year in secretarial school and then set off to see the world.  Entering government service, Anne lived and worked in such faraway places as Baghdad, Beirut, and Saigon.  Anne loved to tell stories of her many adventures abroad, including having to evacuate from the Middle East to Rome during the June War of 1967.  It was in Saigon that Anne met Richard (Dick) Graham.  They married in Tokyo, Japan, and eventually moved to Washington, D.C. where they had a son, Christopher.  

In 1973, Anne and Dick moved across the country to Idaho, where they purchased a farm and settled in New Plymouth.  Anne started a long career with Idaho Power, working as the customer service representative in the New Plymouth office.  Anne loved her work at Idaho Power as she got to know pretty much every person who lived in New Plymouth, including all of the local farmers and ranchers who came in to pay their bills.  Anne spent many fun years hosting dinner parties and family gatherings in her New Plymouth home.  Still infected with the travel bug, Anne also made journeys to Ireland with her brother, Thomas, and later to Beijing, China, to visit her sister and brother-in-law Maryellen and Jim Ireland.  During this time, she was a devout member of the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in New Plymouth, where she developed many close friendships with parishioners from New Plymouth and Fruitland.

In 1998, Anne started a new chapter in her life, moving to Boise with Albert (Al) King.  Anne and Al enjoyed one another's company and together they travelled all over the world, including trips to Ireland, Russia, Costa Rica, and Hawaii.  Anne and Al married in 2003.  Anne also worked part-time at JCPenny and, as was the usual case, made lots of friends at work and in her neighborhood.  She was an active and devoted member of St. Mark's Catholic Church.

More than anything, Anne loved her family.  Each summer, for many years, Anne would travel to spend a week or two with Maryellen and Jim and her nephews Jay, Kevin, and David, and their families, as they would all travel to various parts of the world to gather and celebrate Maryellen's birthday.  Anne was especially happy to return with Maryellen to Ireland, the home of their parents, in 2017.  Anne also loved her grandchildren Thornton, Fiona, and Keara with all her heart.  She loved having them over for sleepovers, going shopping, taking them to IHOP and the nail salon, and taking the dog for walks. She enjoyed attending all of her grandchildren’s various activities. Whether it was a dance performance, birthday party, or soccer game in the snow, Anne was there. Being a grandma was one of Anne's favorite roles in life.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Thomas Thornton and John Thornton of Norwood, Massachusetts, and her husband, Al.  She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Desiree Graham; her three grandchildren: Thornton, Fiona, and Keara, all of Boise; and her sister, Maryellen Ireland of Ashburn, Virginia.  

Anne's family would like to thank her medical team, especially Dr. Michael Hedemark and Dr. Norman Zuckerman at St. Luke's, as well as Anne's friends and neighbors for their support over these last few years.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on August 24, 2023, at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 7960 W. Northview Street, Boise, Idaho.

Anne's family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Idaho Humane Society, 4775 W. Dorman Street, Boise, Idaho 83705, or to a favorite charity, in her name. 

Anne’s full obituary may be found at Accent Funeral Home and Cremation’s website: www.AccentFuneral.com