Dr Katharine Lesley Graham farewelled at private funeral service

“She’s accomplished more academically in her life than most other people I know.”

The late Dr Katharine Lesley Graham in her younger years. Photo: Contributed

A South Grafton doctor has been remembered as an articulate, stylish, and somewhat eccentric woman who touched many lives.

Dr Katharine Lesley Graham was farewelled on Saturday after she died suddenly on August 23 at the age of 75.

“Kathryn was very impressive; she was tall, she was strong. She was full of grace and dignity,” South Grafton Medical Centre colleague Dr Elmarie van der Merwe said.

“She’s accomplished more academically in her life than most other people I know.”

After graduating in 1987, Dr Graham began her medical career in Sydney Hospitals before opening her own General Practice on the NSW Central Coast.

While she had interests in family medicine, women’s health, mental health, geriatric and chronic disease management, Dr Graham had also carried out extensive research into Dementia treatment, specifically on neurotransmitters as a causative factor in the development of the disease.

Her work in the field led to the development of drugs to treat Dementia that are still in use today.

In 2011, Dr Graham relocated to Grafton and joined the South Grafton Medical Practice in April 2017.

A private funeral service was held for Dr Katharine Lesley Graham on Saturday, September 4, 2021.

With Covid restrictions limiting the number of those present at the service, pastor Greg Holder spoke on behalf of patients who shared their memories of Dr Graham, speaking warmly about the compassion and empathy she had for each one.

However, most of the speakers present at the service spoke about her love for Bella, a rescue cat.

“Bella had her own room with a Da Vinci setting, four-poster bed and fur rugs,” friend Linda Knight said.

“Of course, Bella owned each room, but Kathryn loved to please her.”

Ms Knight said that when it came to Dr Graham’s personal life, cats reigned supreme over any interest in children.

“Men were put into the same basket as children,” she said.

“Of the relationships she did have, one gentleman complained that she loved her cat more than him. With that, she replied ‘yes, that’s correct’ and left.”

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private service for Dr Graham was live streamed.