JoAnn Graves

Our beautiful mother, JoAnn Graves joined her beloved husband Don in heaven on 4/4/24, at 2:24 a.m.

JoAnn was born in Raymond, Washington to Margaret and Clyde Jackson. She was an only child but was surrounded by the love of her cherished mother and grandparents who played an important role in our Mom's legacy of love. Mom attended Oregon State University for two years before marrying Ron Walker, a wildlife biologist, moving to the Territory of Hawaii in 1957. She lived on the big island of Hawaii at the Pohakuloa Ranger Station supporting Ron in counting feral sheep and increasing the Hawaiian goose population while raising two little girls.

 In 1963, JoAnn and Ron divorced and she returned to Raymond with two-year-old Maile and four-year-old Lani. Soon afterwards, our beautiful family was formed when Mom married Don Graves, a handsome Marine who she had first met when she was 14. They began a 59-year romance which was solidified when the family was joined by a son, Don in 1968.

JoAnn was a fierce protector of her husband and children, gaining her the nickname "Mother Bear." She was very proud of her Polish heritage; and family was everything to her. Mom cooked amazing meals, sewed, skied, golfed, dug clams, hunted, fished and traveled the U.S. and the world all while raising four children and then being the best Nanny ever to her grandchildren. She did everything with deep love and humor and passed on her adventurous spirit and sassy attitude to her family. She lived a full, happy life and loved deeply.

JoAnn is survived by her children: Lani (Mark) Trout of Keizer, Oregon; Maile (John) Boals of Keizer, Oregon; Don Graves of Kirkland, Washington; eight grandchildren; one great grandchild; her sister-in law, Diane Shucka; nieces; nephews; and cousins including Margaret Guggenbickler of Raymond, Washington. Mom was preceded in death by her soulmate, Don; parents Margaret and Mickey McGuire; and grandparents Tom and Kate Knitch.

A private service will be held at Fern Hill Cemetery in Pacific County, Washington.