Lake Forest Obituary: Joan Feraco, 75

Joan Frances Feraco, a remarkable woman, lived a rich and active life, always putting her family above all else. She passed away peacefully on December 4, 2023 in Portland, Oregon after bravely facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s. She was 75.

Joan was born on April 15, 1948 in Providence, Rhode Island to Herbert James Ziegelmayer and Frances Marie Zambarano, minutes before her twin sister, Jean, was born. Raised in Warwick, RI she spent her childhood days at the beach. Family road trips in the ‘59 Ford were a favorite tradition.

She had a passion for early childhood education, health and wellness, entertaining, and travel. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Rhode Island in 1969 and embarked on her career teaching K-3rd grades. After a teaching career she transitioned to the healthcare industry working at Lake Forest Hospital. In 2006, she moved to Portland, Oregon to be closer to her children and grandchildren, playing a pivotal role in the launch of OHSU’s March Wellness & Fitness Center, where she managed Memberships and Customer Relations. Joan was a 21-year resident of Lake Forest, Illinois and later a 17-year resident of Portland, Oregon.

Joan had a keen eye for art and design and was known for her watercolor paintings of flowers. Always curious, over the years she traveled to China, India, Africa, and Europe; learning about cultures different than her own was important to her.

Admired for her wit and effortless, chic style, she relished in finding a great deal at Neiman Marcus or T.J. Maxx. She was also reserved and unassuming and didn’t care for gossip or wasting time. Instead, she enjoyed hiking with friends or dissecting geopolitical news events over a plate of lemon bars.

Joan— full of beauty, vitality, down-to-earth nature, and always-good advice—embodied a bright spirit that resonated with those fortunate enough to know her. She relished in holding space for her daughter’s friends over coffee and antipasti. If you were lucky enough to experience a “kitchen chat” with Joan, you left feeling like a million bucks. When she heard about a woman succeeding in her chosen field she would emphatically say, “good for her.”

Sitting still was never an option for Joan. In her view, there was always something to accomplish or plan. Like most women of her generation this didn’t leave her a lot of time for herself–putting her family first. She continued to have an active lifestyle after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2014.

Joan and former spouse Frank Feraco had two children. She is survived by her two daughters, Andrea (A. Matthew) Drapcho, Laura (Scott Spencer) Feraco. Her brother Herbert Ziegelmayer, her sister Jean (Robert) Wilson. Nieces and nephews: Kurt Ziegelmayer, Cristie Wilson, Heather (Russell) Kendall, and Eric (Erin) Wilson. Three grandchildren: Anthony Drapcho, Turner Spencer, and Louisa Joan Spencer. She is preceded in death by her parents and her nephew Jay Ziegelmayer.

In lieu of flowers, treat yourself and a friend to coffee. Joan strongly believed in sneaking out for that second cup. The family also suggests memorial gifts to Audubon Society of Portland where Joan and her grandchildren would visit often, checking on the progress of birds in the rehabilitation center.

As per Joan’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.

This obituary was provided by the Feraco family. The views expressed here are the author's own. Obituaries can be submitted online to a Patch on Chicago's North Shore for complimentary publication.