Mary, lovingly known as "Sister Sue," Suz, Susie, and Susan, returned to the Light on July 21, 2026, surrounded by love. Though she wasn't ready to leave the people and life she loved so deeply, she moved through her final days peacefully, gently guided toward the other side.
True to who she was, Susie faced her cancer journey with a strength and grace that inspired everyone around her, fighting until the very end — not from fear of what came next, but from how deeply she loved this life.
Susie was born at Arlington Hospital in Arlington, Virginia, and grew up in nearby Annandale, the daughter of the late Thomas Douglas McGraw and Kathryn "Dolly" McGraw. She earned her graduate degree in social work from Virgnia Commonwealth University VCU in Richamond, VA. and her master's degree from UCLA. She also obtained her MSW, Master of Social Work, which is required by the state as a LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She went on to spend her career as a psychotherapist — holding space for individuals and groups alike, gently guiding others toward healing and wholeness.
Susie moved through the world with a rare kind of grace. She was kind, thoughtful, and endlessly happy — the sort of soul who saw the light in everyone she met and believed in people, often before they believed in themselves. She was deeply connected to nature, delighted in the birds who visited her, and lived her life attuned to spirit — devoted to meditation, energy healing, and the quiet, sacred work of tending to her own soul so she could tend to others. Many who knew her would say she was an earth angel — here to love, to heal, and to remind us all of our own light.
She is survived by her daughter, Eliza Gray, and Eliza's husband, Melvin Gray, whom Mary affectionately called "Huggable"; her step-grandson, Quasauni; and her dear Julie, who Suz loved as a daughter and who shared her life and home for 25 years, standing by her side through every step of her cancer journey these past three and a half years with unwavering love. She is also survived by her brothers Doug and Pam McGraw, John and Judy McGraw, and William "Bill" McGraw, along with many beloved extended family members and dear friends who were touched by her light.
She was welcomed home by her parents, Thomas Douglas McGraw and Kathryn "Dolly" McGraw, and joined in spirit by other cherished family members, friends, and beloved grandpets who had gone before her — together again, celebrating her arrival.
A celebration of her beautiful life will be held at a later date; details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Susie's honor and memory may be made to:
A Healing Place
https://www.ahealingplace.org
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6747LEHPSVTGJ
or to Saint Luke's Foundation
901 E. 104th St. #100S
Kansas City, MO 64131
https://give.saintlukeskc.org/donate
Cards and flowers, shared with love, may be sent to:
214 SE Wingate St - C
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
As Paramahansa Yogananda taught, "the body is only a garment" — and when we shed it, the soul beneath remains unchanged. Mom, you have simply changed clothes. Your light, your love, and your beautiful spirit remain with all of us who were lucky enough to know you. We love you, always.
