Harriet Joan Ferraro

Harriet Joan Ferraro, 75, passed away unexpectedly on August 1, 2007.
Joan was born on July 10, 1932 in Saugerties, NY and was the daughter of William Staff and Harriet Kniffin and stepdaughter of George Fast.
Joan graduated in 1950 from Saugerties High School and then in 1953 from Kingston Nursing School. Her nursing career was spent at Albany Medical Center and Raleigh Community Hospital.
Joan was a selfless, caring, fun loving person. Always putting others before herself. Throughout her life she gave of her time to many organizations. To her church, Saint Francis of Assisi she was a receptionist, a Stephen's minister, a Eucharist minister at church and to the homebound, and a member of the church choir. Joan loved to sing and would sing anywhere. In recent years she went on a mission trip to their sister parish in Guatemala. Joan also joined some fellow church members on a trip to Assisi in Italy. She also gave of her time to the Catholic Parish Outreach, the Open Door Clinic, Rex Cancer Clinic and Rex Hospital. When she had a free minute she would find something to do for someone else. She was an active member of the 55 Plus Club.
Although involved in many activities it was her family she loved the most.
Her summer vacations were spent at Lake George, NY, where even in the last few years she enjoyed swimming, parasailing, tubing and jumping for the Minnie Ha Ha. Spending time with her Woodfin Park friends and siting on the dock. She enjoyed her early morning coffees with friends at Stewarts and then attending daily mass at Sacred Heart, where she also volunteered of her time. Her Lake George friends were a big part of her life.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick A. Ferraro.
Joan "Nana" is survived by her four children, David J. Ferraro Sr. and his wife, Sandy, Joan M. O'Malley and her husband, Terry, Michael V. Ferraro, and Maria "Mimi" Saraphis and her husband, Wayne; eight grandchildren, Joseph Ferraro, Matthew Ferraro and his wife, Kimberly, Jacob Ferraro, Micah Ferraro, Morgan O'Malley, Peter Saraphis, Daniel Saraphis and Abby Saraphis. She is also survived by her sister, Susan Roeser and her husband, Ed and brother, John Fast. Other family, William Staff Jr. and Gretchen Bailey.
Family will receive friends from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Monday, August 6th at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue.
Her life will be celebrated at a funeral mass on Tuesday, August 7th , 4:30 p.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 11401 Leesville Road Raleigh, NC.
There will be a celebration of her life at Lake George sometime next summer.
Memorial gifts can be made to Catholic Parish Outreach 2539-C Noblin Road Raleigh, NC 27604, or Saint Francis of Assisi Building Fund 11401 Leesville Road Raleigh, N.C. 27613.
She touched so many. We love you Mom and Nana!