Sabra Graden

Sabra Lynette Graden, 90, of St. Johnsbury, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2024, at her home surrounded by family and beloved care team.

Sabra was born on May 12, 1934, to Lloyd and Elsie (Hager) Carpenter at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA. She graduated from Plymouth High School in 1952 before studying to be a medical secretary at the Chandler School for Women. She married William Francis Graden on August 20, 1956, in Palmyra, NJ. Together, they raised their five children in San Pedro, CA, where Sabra worked as a medical secretary before becoming a nurse’s aide at a home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. The couple moved to Vermont in 1990 and have lived in the area ever since. 

Sabra lived her life to take care of other people. From her nursing work, to raising her children, to making close friends, she lived her life for others. This was an expression of her deep faith that she and William held dear. William was a Catholic Deacon serving in Island Pond and Norton and Sabra was always with him ministering to others. The two also enjoyed traveling together, including many overseas trips, after William’s retirement. She loved her family most of all and will be greatly missed by them. In her free time, she was known to work on cross-stitch, sewing, puzzles, taking car rides, or simply spending time with her beloved dog Patches. 

Sabra is survived by her children Mark Graden of St. Johnsbury, Timothy Graden of St. Johnsbury, and Rebecca (James Nagle) Watkins of Lyndonville; sister Carolyn (James Davis) Clarke of Center Strafford, NH; grandchildren Elizabeth, Joseph, Katy, Simeon, Richard, James, William, and Sabra; great-grandchildren Ryann, Raegann, Lily, and Alba; great-great-grandchild Juniper; beloved friends Agnes, MaryAnne, Linda, and Carol Ann; and her private nurse turned daughter-in-love Heather Brooks. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, son Matthew Graden, and Daughter Jennifer Snyder. 

Friends may call on the family Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 5-7pm at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, VT. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10am at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Lyndonville, VT with Deacon Peter Gummere as celebrant and homilist. Burial will follow at 1:30pm at St. Bernard Cemetery in Norton, VT. 

The family wishes to thank Dr. Mary Ready and the team at Caledonia Home Health & Hospice for the exceptional care they provided to Sabra. In addition to the hospice care team, the family would like to express the deepest of gratitudes to her private nurse, Heather Brooks, for the exceptional care and tenderness given and with her support enabling Sabra to remain in her home during this journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Sabra’s name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.

Memories and condolences may be shared at CaledoniaLifeServices.com