Tracy Graham Lanum, age 80, of Gloucester, died on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. She elected to write her own “self-obituary” prior to her death, as she wanted her friends and family to know her on a more personal level.

“God has been so compassionate to me. He has sent His Guardian Angels to watch over me all my life. He has blessed me in amazing ways and is caring for me now. I was born on March 22, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois and named Tracy-Ann Graham by my parents, Winifred and Walter Graham. I was raised in Warren, Ohio along with a brother and two sisters: Marc, Heather and Fair. I had a sweet and lovely childhood, even when diagnosed with diabetes at the tender age of seven. In December 2016 I wrote a memoir. It is called “An Awakening Soul.” I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in psychology at Northwestern University in 1963. I was married in 1965 to Duncan Lanum. We lived in Chicago; Hebron, Illinois; Ambridge, Pennsylvania; Midwest, Wyoming, and Woodlake, California. We adopted a baby daughter, Ashley Elizabeth (Lee), in 1969 and a son, Matthew DeWitt, in 1972. Matthew was killed in a tragic traffic accident in Wyoming in 1990. Our marriage did not survive that terrible ordeal and we were divorced in 1993. I moved to Cayucos, California then to Morro Bay a few miles away. I was a Real Estate Broker for a few years, a 16-year career as a social worker in Child Protective Service, as well as Adult Protective Service, and more recently a journalist for Glo-Quips and Chesapeake Style Magazine. My move to Gloucester occurred in 2004 as a result of visiting a Northwestern room-mate who had moved to Gloucester Point in 2000. I was enamored with Gloucester Court House and remained so. Much to the amazement of many I survived 80 years in remarkably good health.”

Tracy is survived by two granddaughters. A celebration of life service will be held at St. James on the Glebe Anglican Church on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at 2 p.m., officiated by Father Kevin Fife. In memory of Tracy, contributions may be made to St. James on the Glebe Anglican Church, 6124 W. Abingdon Glebe Lane, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory.