Obituary of Joan McGrady

Joan B. McGrady, 73, passed away at home in Olympia on July 7, 2008. She was born December 17,1934 to Marley C. and Eda (Mays) Brindle as the fifth of six children. As the only girl in a one-room schoolhouse, Jo learned to play baseball and football at an early age. She spent two years at this school until the school district consolidated with the Colfax School district. Jo spent the rest of her school days at Colfax schools.On October 25, 1952 Jo married Larry McGrady in Coeur d’Alene, ID. They made their home in the Colfax area. In 1953 they had their first daughter, Shana. In 1956 their second child Barb joined the family. The family spent many a weekend boating, fishing and water skiing on the Snake River. Family vacations were centered around the water with many summers spent camping at Upper Priest Lake in Northern Idaho with other families with young children. When both girls started school, Jo began what became a long career working in the legal field. She started working as a legal secretary, bookkeeper and office manger with the Law firm of Savage & Nuxoll. In 1968 the family moved to Kennewick where Jo began working for the Law Firm of Horton, Wilkins & Horton. In September of 1968 she became a member of the Benton-Franklin Legal Secretaries Association. She was very involved in the local association as well as the Washington Legal Secretaries Association (WALS). In 1973 the McGrady family moved to Bellingham. In Bellingham she worked for the City Attorney. When Jo started with the city there were two attorneys, by the time she left this position there were four attorneys with Jo as the one secretary. Later she and Larry moved to Olympia. She worked as a secretary of an attorney in private practice. In November of 1987 she went to work with the Attorney General’s Office, Corrections Division. Later she moved to the Department of Transportation; where she worked as a Paralegal. After her retirement, Jo and Larry did some traveling and home repairs. One of her older sisters was involved in a serious car accident; Jo devoted most of one year caring for her sister. She has been very involved with her Bible study group as well as an active member of the Paramont Christian Church (formerly College Street Christian Church). Jo is survived by her husband Larry McGrady; daughters, Shana Hammett & husband Ron Hammett, Okanogan and Barb McGrady and Dale Shipman, Arlington; grandsons, Justin Hammett and Alex Hammett; sister Lucile Wayman; brother Roger Brindle; as well as several nieces and nephews. You may leave memories and condolences by clicking on "View Guestbook" below: