Joan Mraz, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and lifelong West Seattle, WA resident, passed away peacefully February 24, 2014, at Providence Mount St. Vincent. She was the firstborn twin of Ruth and Glen Bailey on July 29, 1935.

She was senior class president and graduated in the class of 1953 from West Seattle High School. Joan won an art scholarship to Seattle University, from which she graduated with a bachelor of arts. She went on to teach art and art history at South Seattle Community College and was co-founder and former president of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

Joan was a fighter. She received a kidney transplant in 1989, which lasted the rest of her life.
Predeceased by her loving husband, Elemer Mraz in 1996, and son, Steven Roger Mraz in 2008, Joan is survived by her twin sister, Diane Tice of Seattle; daughter, Kristina (Graham) van Etten of Sydney, Australia; and sons, Oscar (Nicole Devine) Mraz of Seattle and Mark (Bridget) Mraz of Edmonds. Joan was a proud grandmother to Lauren, Jordan and Nathan van Etten of Sydney, Australia, Marguerite Devine-Mraz of Seattle and Lukas and Kellen Mraz of Edmonds.

She will always be remembered for her smile, caring attitude, love and deep affection for others.
A celebration of Joan’s life will take place Sunday, March 9, 2014, 1 p.m., at St. Paul’s of Shorewood Lutheran Church, 11620 21st Ave. S.W., Burien, WA. Remembrances may be made to Northwest Kidney Centers (PO Box 3035, Seattle, WA 98114) or Southwest Seattle Historical Society (Log House Museum, 3003 61st Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116).

Online guestbook: www.becksfuneralhome.com.

Published in The West Seattle Herald Section of The Westside Weekly March 7, 2014