Joanne Lynn Gratton

Joanne L. Gratton Joanne Lynn Gratton died at home on October 10th, 2018, at the age of sixty-three, after battling metastatic ocular melanoma since March 2017. Jo was born in Larned, KS, to John and Margaret (Olach) Ooton. Her family moved to Kansas City when she was a teen. She attended Park Hill High School followed by Rockhurst College where she met Matt Gratton. In 1975 they moved to St. Louis where Jo completed her bachelor's degree in Biology and Matt earned his medical degree from St. Louis University. Joanne was known for her compassion and generosity, her quick humor, and her sharp intellect. Throughout her life she volunteered for both her parish and her children's schools. She was a wedding sacristan and served as President of the Kamakura Chapter of Ikebana International from 1996-97. She is survived by her husband, Matthew C. Gratton; her children, Tess Gratton (Natalie Parker), Sean Gratton (Maureen Walsh) and their children, Catherine, Mary Jane, and Annie Gratton, and Travis Gratton (Carly) and a grandbaby due next month; her siblings, Diane Ooton (Terry Smith), Scott Ooton (Diane), and Sue Ross (Robert); and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 15th, at the Irish Cultural Center (3301 Baltimore, KCMO) at 5:30 pm, followed immediately by a reception. A private family burial will be held at Leavenworth National Cemetery on October 16th. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation. To make a gift online, please go to www.tmcgiving.org. Contributions may be sent to TMC Foundation, 2301 Holmes St. KCMO, 64108. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC. Arr: Signature Funerals, 816-214-5174.