Martha "Lucy" Rafter (nee Long)

Age 89, late of Joliet passed away peacefully with her loving husband of 67 years by her side on October 19th, at Villa Franciscan Place of Joliet.  Lucy was the sixth of fifteen children born to Clara Ann and Wilbur Long and a resident of Joliet for the past 68 years. She graduated from Providence Catholic High School in Joliet in 1952. Member of St. Mary Immaculate Church, Plainfield.  Those who knew and loved Lucy were the lucky recipients of her sewing and crocheting talents.  She made habits for the nuns of the Franciscan order in Mishawaka, Indiana, her daughter's wedding dress, several quilts for family and any Halloween costume her grandchildren requested.  She also provided alteration services for family and friends for many years.  If you touched her life, you have a piece of clothing, quilt, a potholder koozie or a cotton dishrag to prove it.

Above all else, Lucy loved spending time with her family, happily taking her older grandchildren on trips to Virginia to visit with her sister, making trips to Texas to visit  her children and grandchildren, throwing birthday parties for favorite dolls, making edible playdoh, teaching her grandchildren dominos, assembling jigsaw puzzles and playing card games at family gatherings. She even carried on her mother-in-law's tradition of making potica; making it with her daughters and granddaughters each Christmas season.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Preceded in death by her oldest son, Michael Rafter, her brothers Kenneth, Lawrence, Howard, Eugene and Richard Long and her sisters Geraldine(Geri) Haley, Mildred(Millie) Brewster, Sister Theresa Ann(Eunice).

Survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Raymond Rafter; four devoted children, Rae Jean (Larry) Worden of Corinth, TX, David (Vicky) Rafter of Severn, MD, Collette (Scott) Kettman of Shorewood and Kenneth Rafter of Plainfield. Devoted daughter-in-law Terri Rafter of Bay City, TX.    Her cherished grandchildren, Russell (Brittany Welch) Rafter, Lauren (Mark) Siptak, Michelle (RJ) George, Alex (Shelby) Worden, Ben Rafter, Nicholas (Lupita Rivas) Kettman, Elizabeth (Eric) Martin, Jillian Kettman, Ryan (Liz) Rafter, Kyle Rafter and four cherished great-grandchildren, Kynlee, Ryleigh, Raegan and Reese.  Her loving brothers Donald (Murleen) Long, Marvin (Phyllis) Long, Allen Long and her cherished sisters Lois Haubold, Mary (Raymond) Baker and Carol Davenport, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lightways Hospice ( DONATE ) in Lucy's name would be greatly appreciated.

The Rafter family would like to thank the staff at Villa Franciscan Place and Lightways Hospice for their care in her final weeks of life.

Visitation Wednesday October 25, 2023 from 9:00am to time of Chapel Prayers at 10:45am at O'NEIL FUNERAL HOME 1105 E. 9th St., Lockport.  Funeral Mass following at 11:15am at St. Joseph Church (410 S. Jefferson St., Lockport).  Cremation Private.  For Info: (815) 838-5010 or www.oneilfuneralhome.com