Isabel Degraw's Obituary
Isabel (Mom) was born March 7, 1925 in West Haven, Connecticut where she grew up with her Dad and Mom, Charles and Annie Smith, and two sisters Margaret and Nancy. After graduating from high school she was a stenographer. Through her later high school years and working she met a handsome man, William (Bill) DeGraw from New Jersey who would visit relatives periodically and romance bloomed. During their courtship Dad joined the Navy and a lot of letters passed through the mail. They were married March of 1945. Dad was stationed in Bremerton so Mom rode a train across country to start their new life. David was their first born and I followed 15 months later in California. Dad was stationed again in Bremerton and at that time they decided they wanted to settle in Tacoma once he was out of the Navy. Throughout his time of service we moved many times and Mom was always the rock keeping the family going. Dad would be out to sea and she would be alone taking care of we kids and keeping the household running smoothly. When we settled for good in Tacoma Mom found a job at the Travel Center of Tacoma downtown. She had many, many opportunities to visit faraway places and filled up a couple of passports. Many people have benefitted from her excellent trips that she planned for them.
Mom had 7 grandchildren, Patricia, Laurie, Daniel, Kristy, Kevin, Jennifer, and Brian whom she loved dearly and was always telling her friends about their exploits. Then came the great grandchildren, Cameron, Miranda, Nathaniel, Aiden, Isaac, Addison, Macey, Ava, Emersyn, Jaxson and Rylee (who arrived just 9 days before her passing).
Her church activities were very important to her and through most of her life she sang in the choir. She also enjoyed her activities with the Rainbow Girls serving as Mother Advisor and Grand Deputy. She was a Worthy Matron, Deputy Instructor and Grand Representative for Cedar Chapter in Eastern Star. Mom made many friends throughout her life. She was very active all the time and hardly ever home. The last couple of years slowed her down but through her whole life she always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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