Joan McGrath

Joan Thompson McGrath born September 24, 1924, in Shanghai, China, to David A. and Mildred P. (Crane) Thompson. She passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020, in Whittier, California, at the age of 95.

Joan grew up and went to school in Albany, California. She later continued her education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She enjoyed working as a nurse for 10 years, 2 of which were spent on the Santa Fe Railroad based out of Chicago, Illinois.

On May 29, 1954, Joan married the love of her life, William F. McGrath, Jr., in Berkeley, California. They spent their first three years in Los Angeles, California, followed by seven years in Fullerton, California, before settling in La Mirada, California, for 50 years. It was there that they raised their three children, Michael, Catherine and William F. III. Joan spent the last four years at Oakmont Senior Center in Whittier, California.

Though Joan enjoyed her time as a nurse, she was grateful to have been able to stay at home to raise her children. She was a devoted wife and mother and found the greatest joy in spending time with her family. Joan and Bill traveled a great deal in their later years, covering most of the 50 states and Europe. Reading, gardening, and genealogy were also among her favorite hobbies. Joan attended Beatitudes of Our Lord Church in La Mirada and St. Brunos Church in Whittier. She was also a member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Catherine (James) Romero; sons, Michael J. (Jill) and William F. III (Margaret) McGrath; and 7 grandchildren, William F. (Rotem) McGrath IV, Kristyn (Gary) Rivano, Jason, Timothy and Chloe Romero, and Derek and Quentin McGrath. She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. McGrath, Jr.