Joan Elizabeth GRAVELL

GRAVELL, Joan (Joanne) Elizabeth 1931-2015 Born in 1931 in Houston, Texas to Donald W. Gravell and Johanna Langer Gravell who had moved to Texas from California during the Depression to work for Gulf Oil where Don was employed as a paleontologist. When June was eight, the family moved to Havana, Cuba. Brothers, Robert and John were born in Cuba. A third brother, Tom, was born later when the family was living in Caracas, Venezuela. Growing up overseas had a profound effect on Joan. It instilled a love for travel and appreciation of other cultures. The opportunity to study Spanish was a gift she always treasured. After graduating from High School in Havana Joan attended the University of Texas in Austin. In 1957 she obtained her M.A. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. Joan worked as a social worker for 25 years in New Mexico and Arizona before moving to California in 1980. She was employed by Community Hospital in Santa Rosa and moved to Cloverdale where she lived with her life partner, June Davies. After 25 years they moved to Windsor where she lived until her death from lung cancer. She and June loved animals and shared their home with many animal companions over the years. In addition to travel, Joan loved books, the theater and music. Her many friendships and her family were her greatest treasure. Joan was especially pleased that she was able to travel to Cuba in the later part of her life. Joan is survived by her brothers, Robert Gravell and his wife Sonya of Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, John S. Gravell of Pleasant Hill, CA, and Thomas D. Gravell (Judy) of Elizabeth, CO; her cousin, Lynn Garric of Santa Rosa; and her loving partner of 30 years, June Davies of Windsor, CA. Joan especially wanted to thank the Santa Rosa Kaiser Oncology Department and Bill Roby the facilitator of the Kaiser Cancer Support Group which was of such great benefit to Joan in her journey with cancer. A memorial for Joan will be held at a later date. If you wish to do something in Joan's memory, please donate to your favorite animal society, the Santa Rosa Symphony, listener supported KDEF/FM, or the Hospice of your choice.