CARTHAGE, NY — Joanne H. Raycraft, 88, formerly of N. Clinton Street, died Friday morning, Nov. 9, 2018, at her residence, 222 State St., in Carthage where she was under the care of her family and Hospice of Jefferson County.
Joanne was born on July 18, 1930, in Carthage, the daughter of the late Levi and Anna (Kelley) Higman. She was a 1947 graduate of Augustinian Academy and a 1951 graduate of the Mercy School of Nursing in Watertown.
She married Charles Raycraft Jr. on May 17, 1953 at St. James Church with Rev. Lawrence Garrity officiating. Charles died Nov. 30, 1992.
Joanne worked at Mercy Hospital before her marriage and Samaritan Keep Nursing Home in Watertown when it opened. She retired from nursing in 1985.
She is survived by one daughter: Martha (Joseph) Pietruch of Marcy, five sons: Stephen (Sue) of Grants Pass, OR, Mark (Joan) of Brownville, Michael (Francesca) of Amherst, David (Sue) of Liverpool and Andrew (Coley) of Simpsonville, SC, 16 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren, one brother: Francis Higman of Niagara Falls and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her siblings, Jane Nortz, John (Thomas) Higman, Lola Woods and Merle (Patrick) Higman and two step-sisters, Elizabeth Gaffney and Mary Freeston.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at St. James Catholic Church with Rev. Donald A. Robinson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to St. James Church, 327 West St., Carthage, Augustinian Academy, 317 West St. Carthage or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown.
To leave an online condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.
