Joanne Caviness Waychoff Gaffney

JOANNE CAVINESS WAYCHOFF GAFFNEY

Apache Junction, Ariz.

Joanne Waychoff Gaffney, 89, of Apache Junction, Ariz., formerly of Fairfax, passed away on Aug. 23, 2021, after a short illness.

Joanne was born in Cedar Rapids to Forrest and Florence (Briggs) Caviness on Jan. 8, 1932. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, she married Ray Waychoff on Feb. 11, 1950, and relocated to Fairfax. She served as secretary to the first two superintendents of College Community School District until 1973 and then to the president at the Fairfax State Savings Bank until her retirement in 1997. Joanne was passionate about baseball and was active in the Fairfax Baseball Association with her husband and sons. A member of the Fairfax American Legion Auxiliary, she was active in many Fairfax community events, including annual Hey Days celebrations. She was also a former Worthy Matron in the Fairest Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Joanne and Ray had an open-door policy always welcoming family, friends, and their sons' friends with a lot of laughter and food.

Joanne and Ray had two sons, Blaine (Barbara) Waychoff of Cedar Rapids and Kent "KC" (Kathy) Waychoff of Fairfax; four grandchildren, Brianne Waychoff (Ben Powell) of New York City, Abigail Waychoff (Dan Muraski) of Chicago, Ben (Britni) Waychoff of Orlando and Elise Waychoff of Philadelphia; and two great-grandchildren, Orrie and Forrest Muraski of Chicago. Ray passed away in 1983.

Joanne married Vincent Gaffney in 1985 and her family grew to include Vince's family, sons, Thomas (Cathy) Gaffney, Michael Gaffney (Craig VanDeen), Jeffrey (Paulette) Gaffney and Patrick Gaffney; daughters, Debbie Gaffney and Julie (Jim Takes) Machacek; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and Vince's siblings, Charles (Janet) Gaffney and Catherine Ralston.

Joanne is also survived by one brother, Jim (Percy) Caviness; sister-in-law, Jenny Joynt; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends in both Iowa and Arizona.

Joanne will be remembered as a lifelong sports enthusiast, particularly baseball and an avid reader. She also loved gardening and traveling.

A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 2, at St. John XXIII, 8100 Roncalli Dr. SW, CR (near Fairfax) to be followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the Fairfax Cemetery. The family is being cared for by Teahen Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the family.