JoAnne E. Grafe, 85, of Phoenixville

JoAnne E. Robbins Grafe, 85, of Phoenixville, PA, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2017, at Fellowship Manor, Whitehall, PA. Jo, as her family and friends knew her, was born in Boston, MA and raised in Waterville, ME, the daughter of the late Charles and Helen Robbins. After her marriage to Ernest O. Grafe, she became a long-time resident of Phoenixville.

JoAnne graduated from Waterville High School in 1949 and attended the Cambridge School of Design, near Boston, MA, from 1949 until 1951, during which she met her first husband, Robert F. Hicks. They were married in Kingston, NY in October 1951 and, after living in Brooklyn, NY for several years, they settled in the town of Bloomington in upstate New York.

In New York City, she worked as a staff artist at B. Altman and Co. and Goldsmith Bros. Stationers and as a free-lance commercial artist. After moving upstate in 1956, she held positions at the Bob Sabin Agency and Salvucci’s Italian Restaurant in Kingston, NY. JoAnne and Ernest Grafe married in June 1963 at her childhood home in Waterville and resided for short periods in Tillson, NY and Takoma Park, MD before settling in Phoenixville, PA in 1964. There they launched their business, Process Specialties, Inc. for which JoAnne was bookkeeper until her husband passed away in November 2003.

She enjoyed gardening, was a garage sale enthusiast, and had a deep passion for photography. As an active member of the Upper Merion Camera Club for more than 20 years, she built long lasting friendships, won numerous awards, and served as President, Vice President, and Secretary for several terms. JoAnne’s greatest joy, though, was her family. She loved visits by her children and their spouses, but was never happier than when she was able to spend time with her grandchildren.

JoAnne was predeceased by Ernest, her loving husband of more than 40 years. She will be sorely missed by those who survive her: her brothers, Theodore C. Robbins (Dallas, TX) and David W. Robbins (Alhambra, CA); sons, Gary Hicks (Virginia Beach, VA) and his wife, Debbie, and Brian Grafe (Fleetwood, PA) and his wife, Laura; stepson, Ernest A. Grafe (Oakland, CA); stepdaughter, Gale Grafe (Mount Pleasant, SC); seven adoring grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren.

The funeral and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in JoAnne’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (Delaware Valley Chapter), 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or at www.alz.org.