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It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Christian Fiona Graham nee Leslie on Friday, October 25th, 2024 in Port Hope, Ontario at the age of 92 years. Fiona lived life with courage and strength. Born in Anderton, Chorley UK in 1932, she raised her sisters while her mother was ill and grew up amidst the Battle of Britain, WWII. Her early interest in health and human movement led her to a career in physiotherapy and in 1953 she graduated from Salford Royal Hospital School of Physiotherapy. While she was working at the Bolton Royal Infirmary, she learned about a new treatment protocol for children with Cerebral Palsy called Bobath Therapy and found her passion. She went on to care for children at St. Bartholomew's Hospital (London) at their Children’s Long Term Care Residential Hospital and started up a new facility in Essex.
In 1959, after being recruited to head up a new Cerebral Palsy unit at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London, Fiona was told that she needed to take elocution lessons to rid her of her Lancashire accent. She walked away and never looked back. She was quickly recruited by The Crippled Children’s Society in Toronto, Canada as head physio and only Bobath-trained physiotherapist in Canada. She boarded the Empress of France and sailed to Canada in April 1959 and stayed with CCS (now Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab) until she married and had children. She was dedicated to her family and loved being a mom.
After raising her children in Toronto, Montreal, Oakville and Ottawa, Fiona returned in earnest to her career and worked at The Civic Hospital in Ottawa as the Lead Physiotherapist for the Chronic Pain Unit. She created first-of-their-kind programs for patients with long-standing chronic pain that provided newfound ability to lead a productive life. These programs are still in use today.
Fiona is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, John and her sister Alison. She will be missed dearly by her daughters, Abbie (Mike) and Kathryn (Ian), her son David (Viviane), her sister Morag and her grandchildren Cody, Kieran, Austin (Meghan), Noah and Kristianne (Aleesha). She was fiercely independent, highly intelligent and had a great sense of humour and we will remember her with many smiles and lots of love.
I would like to extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Fiona. I had the pleasure of knowing her at Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope. She was always so cheerful and easy to talk to. She was interested in everyone and everything. She will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Covenant House
Sadden to hear of Fiona's passing. She was a very delightful and caring peson. The kndmess she showed my parents when they lived at Empire Crossing will always be treasured.
My deepest sympathies to you Kathryn and the whole family. I have such fond memories of your mom while we were growing up. I am so thankful to her for the values and independence she instilled in you, Abbey and David. She was a strong, special lady who won't be forgotten, but dearly missed.
Our deepest sympathies Dave to you, Viv, Noah and your siblings on the passing of your mom. She was a very nice and thoughtful person. Sending big hugs!!
Our sincere condolences to Kathryn and her family, her siblings and their families. The text above about Mrs. Graham's life is very inspiring. Warm hugs to you all.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
ACO Port Hope
Dear Kathryn and family - Wow! What an impressive person! Sending my heartfelt condolences for the loss of this trailblazer and loving matriarch to the family who knew and loved her most. Best wishes as you celebrate the fond memories you have shared together over the years.
I knew Fiona at Empire Crossing, she was a spitfire with a wicked sense of humour. I enjoyed many conversations with her over my time there. She cared deeply about her friends, family and all those around her at Empire. She will truly be missed by many and I hope she is celebrated in the always put together manor she strived for. All my love to her family in this difficult time.
I had the great pleasure of working where Fiona last lived. I will miss her "no nonsense" wisdom, and the fact that she had to hold on to a table or walker to hear my bad jokes to "prepare" herself. I will miss her quick witt and kindness toward others. My sincere condolences to you all for losing a great light.
Sincere condolences on the loss of Fiona. I knew her through Friends of the Library and Community Care Port Hope. A lovely lady! Marg Trottman-Graham
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
Dave. Your mom sounded like quite the woman!! All of the Jordans are sending our thoughts to you, Viv and Noah and all of your family at this sad time. We love you.
So sad to hear this news, and send my love and best wishes to my cousins, Abbie, Kathryn and David. May your wonderful memories keep filling you up as you reflect and give thanks. I feel great sadness that I wasn't able to get back to Canada to see John and Fiona again before they each died. My memories of 2014 however, remain vivid. Condolences and love, Lynda
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Fiona. A lovely and kind soul. She lived beside my mother at Empire and I enjoyed our chats. She will be missed. May fond memories bring you comfort.
Dear Family, Your mother, mother in law and grandmother clearly provided so much to you and the world at large. A force of nature. Her spirit remains in all of you! Michele Muzzi
My sincere condolences to the Graham family. What a fabulous legacy she has left in each of you, and what an interesting life she had led. May this time of condolences bring you some peace as you remember the “fiercely independent” woman she was! Much love Manjit and John
I met your Mom through her volunteering with Community Care Northumberland. She was no nonsense, positive, hard working person with a sense of humour. I really enjoyed getting to know her, she downplayed her skills and experience. My deepest sympathies.
Sending our love and admiration from San Francisco. I did not know about your mother's distinguished career, Kathryn, just how good and kind and funny a person she was in private life. What a fine, all-round individual she seems to have been, the world a smaller place without her in it. Best from David and me to you and yours. Suivez.
Abbie and family, I'm saddened to hear of your mother's passing. She was a gentle, beautiful person, whom I remember quite fondly. My deepest condolences.