Birthdate: April 17, 1946 URS June 9, 2025
Shemmaho passed away peacefully, with grace and intention, at Kelowna General Hospital on June 9, 2025. She is survived by her son, Romeo Graham, who was with her as she passed. Born Jeffie Suzzanne Graham (née Bedsole), she crossed into Canada in 1970 with her husband Bo Graham and settled first in Birchdale, then in the community of Argenta at the head of Kootenay Lake. Together, they built a log home with the help of Sophie, their horse, and Purple, the goat. Later, she moved through Nelson and on to the Slocan Valley, where she made a home in Perry’s Siding for almost 30 years. While Romeo attended the Vallican Whole School, she taught singing and music to the children. Shemmaho was a member of many communities, traveling and attending gatherings, leading and organizing others—always learning, and always teaching. Many name changes and lifetimes later, she found a strong and supportive community in Castlegar. Returning to school as a senior, she began developing her voice as a writer at Selkirk College. Shemmaho also deepened her practice in visual art, producing many works in acrylic. Throughout her life, she was a steady advocate and activist for the protection of the Earth, seeking a spiritual way, and sharing her wisdom with all. She is loved fiercely and will be dearly missed.
I met Shemmaho in 1989 when she was facilitating a Joanna Macy process: A Council of All Beings. Soon after, she led the Dances of Universal Peace in my community and I was hooked. I am forever grateful for the many years of dancing with Shemmaho and all the wonderful dance leaders she invited to lead at the week-long camps. And that my two daughters grew up going to these camps with me on Kootenay Lake was an exquisite gift and delight! I knew Shemmaho as friend, gifted musician, dance leader, creator of dances and environmental activist who lived lightly on the earth. I spent many weekends at her home in Winlaw BC where we explored our inner worlds, picked herbs for her Green Wisdom Herbal Dispensary or did ceremony including when she changed her name from Daystar to Shemmaho. Despite her challenges, Shemmaho continued to recreate her life.
What a blessing to have been introduced to the dances and to her guide Saadi which led me down the Sufi path.