"What a wonderful tribute to Aunt Joan. You have all been in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother was an extraordinary woman and I will treasure her memory and the times we spent together forever. I love you all and will see you on Thursday. Love, love, love - Cousin Jules"
In loving memory of
Joan Mary Raftis DeGrazia
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Our mother, was born on March 18th, 1930 in Chewelah, Washington. She passed away at her home, Friday, April 11th. Immensely proud of her Irish heritage, she was the oldest of three and the only daughter to Francis and May Raftis. She was the first child delivered there at St. Joseph's Hospital.
In 1933 the family moved to Spokane and a short time later to Sprague, Washington where her father opened a clothing store. Her mother was a music and English teacher who taught both high school and grade school. In 1935 they moved to Tacoma . There, her father started a successful car sales business while she attended Holy Rosary grade school with her two brothers, Don and Jerry.
In 1946 the family moved back to Spokane where she graduated from Mary Cliff High, an all girls catholic school. After attending Washington State college she moved to Seattle and began work with the Bon Marche as a copywriter where she would eventually accumulate over 30 years of employment and form many long lasting friendships with the people she worked with. Many of whom have stayed in touch through the years and remained her closest friends. Mom spoke of all her friends often and fondly.
In 1955 she married Fred DeGrazia. Soon after, we entered the picture, five very lucky sons. Christopher, Daniel , Martin, Thomas and Bruce.
In the early 70s and with the help of her brother, Don and her sister in law, Darlene, she started a new business in Kent, Washington they named? Gingham Square". One of her passions in life was antiques and there they had the unusual but innovative combination of both antiques and a delicatessen in the same space.
Eventually she would leave and rejoin the Bon where she worked on and off till her retirement at the age of 62. At this point her life began anew as she became a grandmother and her true calling fell into place.
First came Joseph, then Anthony, Angelina and finally Mariana. She was a wonderful, loving grandmother and cherished every moment with them. They were the inspiration for her every smile, every laugh and just about every story she had to share with anyone who would listen.
Mom had the ability to make everyone feel at ease and always welcome. Her house was "our" home too. This was also true for any lost or hungry stray animal that was lucky enough to find them in her car as she rescued them from a busy freeway or wandered into her yard looking for a meal. Dearly loved by many, she will be missed by all who knew her.
Survived by her brothers, Don Raftis of Kent Washington and Jerry Raftis of Loon Lake, Washington. Step grandchildren, Elizibeth, Katharine, & Christina as well as many nephews and nieces.
Mom would wish that remembrances be made to PAWS or the Arthritis Foundation. A viewing will be held Wednesday, April 16th, from 12:00 to 8:00pm. A memorial service will take place Thursday, April 17th at Evergreen-Washelli at 12:00. An online memorial book is available to sign at www.evergreen-washelli.com.
Tributes
"I would first like to say how truly sorry I am of the loss of such a wonderful woman. Though I havent seen Joan for a while, I have,and will always have fond and vivid memories of her. When I was a young boy growing up, I was good friends with Bruce, and spent a great amount of time at her house. Joan would always make me feel so welcome and loved. Some of my most favorite memories of her come from when she would invite me for dinner. It reminded me of eating with the waltons, all of the boys Joan and I, gathered around that gigantic dinner table that always seemed to end in a big laugh a thon. I also can remember spending the night which followed by getting up early so we could rush to the flea market and shop for those bargains . There is no doubt that she will be truly missed. I pray that God will bless her dearly in heaven. God bless all of you sincerly Kevin Thesan"
"What a shock to hear the sad news about Joan. I had the privledge of working with Joan for many years at The Bon Marche. We worked on what seemed like hundreds of catalog projects and we were always in very close agreement on how a job should look and feel. She was a delight to work with and an even more delightful friend although I haven't seen her in many years. She spoke of her family often and although I never met any of you she made it feel as if I knew you all. My love and thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow."
"so sorry your mother passed-away. as you know i became her tennant in dec. '02. i was so pleased to find such a nice place to live-in that i asked her on the spot if i could move-in. to my surprise she said yes. I spoke with her often and found we had a few things in common. i already miss joan and i'm very sad that she's gone."
"Dear Sons, As the pediatrician for Joan's five sons, I remember her well. She had the daunting task of raising these boys by herself as the sole breadwinner. Her courage, grace and fortitude were always evident. You can be very proud of her as was I. You were blessed to have such a wonderful mother. It was a privilege for me to help her in whatever way I could. Don Lewis"
"I will always treasure my 24 year friendship with Joan. I will watch for her spirit at every garage sale, flea market, the Edmonds Open Market and antique store. She taught me so much about gardening that I look at each starter plant she gave me with loving memories. I will miss our walks when we disagreed politically but always agreed on the love for our family and our friendship. She was a true friend and I will miss her each day but I will carry her in my heart always."
"Chris- Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We can't attend the memorial service-we're out of town on business. God Bless, Pat & Norma"
"We are so sorry to read of the passing of your dear Mother. Sorry we were unable to attend the service and personally voice our love and concern to the family."
"I so wanted to be there with you today and I am sorry I was unable to be there to support you all. I loved your mom and she was a great great friend for years and years for my mom. I feel such a loss for this world, but I know that all the animals in Heaven are now being taken care of well. Lynn"
"me and my grandma would always read books together. everybody is telling me how much she loved me.and i love her too!!!uncle bruce is right here with me and he loves her too!!!"
"JOAN WAS MORE THAN A BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND MOTHER TO HER CHILDREN. SHE WAS LIKE A MOTHER TO ME ALSO AND MADE ME A BETTER PERSON HAVING HER IN MY LIFE. I LOVED JOAN AND I LOVE YOU BOYS TOO. CHRISTMAS TIME WAS ONE OF JOAN'S FAVORITE TIMES. I WILL ALWAYS HAVE SPECIAL MEMORIES AT HER HOUSE. I REMEMBER MANY YEARS AGO THE BOYS WOULD BREAK INTO THE SNACK CABINET AND WHEN I WAS OF AGE TO REACH IT SHE PUT A LOCK ON IT. WE SEARCHED AND SEARCHED AND NEVER DID FIND THAT KEY. MAYBE ONE OF YOU DID BUT IT WAS FUN LOOKING FOR IT. JOAN WAS ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE. GOD BLESS HER AND ALL OF HER FAMILY. SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL THAT KNEW HER. I LOVE YOU JOAN. MAY YOU REST AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. BOYS, I LOVE YOU AND PRAY THAT YOU GET THE STRENGTH YOU NEED AT THIS TIME AND THE STRENGTH YOUR MOTHER HAD. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART. SHELLY"
"Marty, My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Mother. God Bless!"
"To: Five wonderful DeGrazia Boys I am so very sorry to hear of Joan's passing. What a warm, welcoming, kind, generous, thoughtful person I knew. Thanks to our good friend Shelly Potalla, I came to know and love Marty and the rest of you. I'll always remember how comfortable and welcome Joan made Crystal and I feel while visiting. Just as if we were one of hers. The many pictures and holidays that were always "done" with such care. These were truly special times. Although I have not been in touch with her for many many years... the memories will always hold very dear to both Crystal and I. How lucky we are to have been touched by Joan. I wish I were there to hold and hug you all during this difficult time. With sympathy, Cindy"