Shirley Ann McGraw, age 84, of St. Louis left us to join her heavenly father on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the Altenheim of St. Louis after a lengthy illness.

Shirley was born on August 15, 1940. Her parents were Anna Marie (Harbit) and Edwin Lukavsky of Washington, lowa. She was third in line of nine children and worked outside mostly with the boys. Her main chore was the hen house, gathering eggs and battling the rooster.

She attended Brighton high school and graduated in 1958. After that she went on to beauty college and obtained a beautician license. Then in 1960, she married Jerald McGraw and together they had 4 children.

In 1968 Shirley and Jerald went their separate ways and she became the sole provider for 4 children under the age of 7. Instead of using her beautician license she spent the rest of her working years in the Food & Beverage industry. She worked hard every day to provide for her kids.

In her leisure time she liked to do arts and crafts. A favorite of hers was latch hook rugs while listening to Neil Diamond. She took comfort in her faith and in her later years she took to saying the rosary nightly.

She is survived by her children, Kristina McGraw, Todd McGraw, Teresa McGraw and Troy McGraw. Five grandchildren, Anna McGraw-Sutterer, Ben McGraw, Nicole Lewis, Danielle Phillips and Teresa Halbert. Great grandchildren, Nora, Lily, Cohen and Ellis. Surviving siblings are Helen Kurtz, Robert Lukavsky, Joyce Scranton and Dennis Lukavsky.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Donald and Kenneth Lukavsky, and sisters Marjorie Schrock and Ruth Barnhart.

Shirley was both mother and father to four children and a true warrior.