Jacqueline “Lori” (Archer) Graffam, 60, dies

Jacqueline “Lori” (Archer) Graffam, 60, passed away on Monday (June 17) after a short, yet courageous battle with Pancreatic cancer at her home in Auburn, Maine, surrounded by her family.

Lori was born on Sept. 26, 1963 in Anchorage, Alaska and her family heritage ran deep as a Native American Indian, Potawatomi Citizen Band, eligible Daughters of the American Revolution, and United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Lori and her longtime, devoted partner Todd Whitney shared a passion for harness racing and traveled around the country together as Todd drove in amateur harness races. She also owned and bred numerous horses with family and friends. But her proudest accomplishments were her children, as she took great pride in watching her son Nick train & drive horses with great success throughout Maine and Massachusetts and her daughter Bethany also make her mark in the harness racing industry as a trainer, member of the board of directors for Maine Harness Horseman’s Association and spokesperson and volunteer for Pacing for the Cure. Lori was overjoyed with every award and recognition they each received.

Despite dealing with her illness, attending her son’s wedding to Natalie Michaud on June 1st became Lori’s main focus and by the grace of God, she did, leaving all in attendance with tears of joy and love as she and Nick shared their very special dance.

Lori will never be forgotten and always missed and loved forever by her family and wealth of friends she so dearly cherished, especially Doug and Connie Lamoreau and Don & Joan Harmon. And a special thanks to her neighbor Caryn for compassionate family support & hospice guidance and CMMC & Cancer Care Center.

Lori is survived by her longtime partner Todd Whitney, her mother Lynette Jones, sisters Lynelle Libby (Kendell), Kerrie Huggins (Doug), Ronna Jones (Ike), daughter Bethany Graffam (Joe), son Nicholas Graffam (Natalie), grandson Evan and granddaughter Ava. Nieces & nephew Lindsay, Jaclyn and Robert Anania, Ashlee & Shalee. Whitney’s sons Wade (Natasha), Randall (Jamie), grandchildren Sage, Kaden, Reid, Alivia, Myles, Gavin, & Isla.

Lori is preceded in death by her father Jack Archer, stepfather Rod Jones, grandparents Duane & Faye Archer, and John & Elsie Stroope.

A Celebration of Life will be held at her residence, 285 Trapp Rd. Auburn, Maine on Sunday (June 30) at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PacingfortheCure.org.

 by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts