Obituary of Joan L. Destefanis

Joan Destefanis passed away in Hollister, California November 21, 2019 after a brief illness.

Services will be provided by the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 720 Monterey St., Hollister, California on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 11 am. 

Joan Lorraine Waters Destefanis was born in Hollister, California January 22, 1943 to Lloyd Joseph Waters and Myrtle Adele Shelvock Waters. Joan had a struggle in life from the time she was diagnosed with epilepsy as a young girl.  She spent time at University San Francisco Hospital as they tried to deal with her seizures. Her seizures were an issue her whole life.  She was never able to get a driver’s license.  Even so she use public transportation, taxis and had good friends and family to help her get around.

Joan married Dennis Destefanis in 1969, and they had a child Rafael.  Rafael was the center of Joan’s life.  He died suddenly in November 2004.

Joan went to San Benito County High School and Gavilan.  She worked at Hazel Hawkins Hospital, Southside Nursing Home and Mabie Skilled Nursing Facility all in Hollister.  She lived her whole life in San Benito County except for a brief time she lived with her sister, Mary, in Alturas, California.

Joan was involved for most of her life with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hollister.  She loved the country life in which she was raised.  Taking walks and horses were her hobbies.  If Joan was asked to go somewhere most of the time she would say, “yes”.  So although she didn’t travel out of California, she did a train trip with her niece, did road trips, and traveled to the beach and the Sierra Mountains.  She went to Church activities, brandings, family reunions, birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other holidays and gatherings.

Joan is survived by her 8 nieces and nephews; Gene Mattos (Terri), Betsy Mattos Wood (Carse), John Mattos (Joy), Janet Mattos Wood (Jack), Daniel Mattos (Sue), Kathy Schmidt Spencer (Joe), Crystal Schmidt Henzi (Walt) and Brian Schmidt (Tina).

She also is survived by numerous grand nieces and nephews; Anne Wood Richardson (Jerry), Mike Wood (Sylvia), Katrina Wood Hearne (Steve), Mike Hicks (Cindy), Gene Hicks (Marshella), Wade Mattos, Todd Mattos (Daphne), Nat Wood (Julie),Luke Wood (Amanda), Andrea Wood Graciano (Carlos), Karen Wood Mitchell (Brad), Jill Mattos Terrerington (Dustin), Matt Mattos, Jennifer Mattos Shipner (Teddy), David Mattos (Chantile),Jody Mattos Horvath (Ben), Jonnathan Mattos (Stacy), Amy Mattos Gatus (Shem), and Amber Henzi Scardino (Sunny)

Joan is predeceased in death by her son, Rafeal Destefanis; parents, Lloyd and Myrtle Waters and sisters, Mary Waters Mattos, Sarah Waters Schmidt , and Martha Waters.