Remembering Joan Musselman Drake
Joan “Jo Ann” Musselman Drake, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died peacefully on June 17. She was born in Cathlamet, Washington on March 1, 1935 to Cecil and Gertrude Braack, the oldest of six children. She graduated from Raymond High School in 1953 and told stories of doing flips and cartwheels as a high school cheerleader. During a 4-year marriage she had three children, Joni, Cindy, and Randy. In 1960 she married E. Wesley Musselman and had another daughter, Susan. Together Joan and Wes raised the four children, who were five years apart. She spoke fondly of Wes, the life they made, and his willingness to raise the four children all as if they were his own.
In the early years, Joan was busy as a homemaker. She cooked and canned food for the family. She once bought 50 chicks and raised laying hens (which could have names) and eating chickens (which could not have names). She was in women’s and mixed bowling leagues at Glacier Lanes for many years in the 1960s, winning many 200-point pins and trophies. She and the family worked together to set up, paint and clean rental homes on the family property.
In the late 1960s Joan and Wes bought a grocery store and laundromat in La Conner and in 1970 moved the family from Everett to La Conner. They were partners in business with Joan running the laundromat and helping Wes in the grocery store. As the business grew, hours were extended and the store was updated from its original sloped and oiled wood floors and rental freezer lockers. They later took on management of the State Liquor Agency as well.
The family would travel to Oregon most years to visit Joan’s parents and younger brothers. These vacations included visits to the Oregon Sand Dunes, Seaside and the Sea Lion Caves.
After Wes died unexpectedly in 1980, Joan was a 45-year-old widow with a grocery store to run and a job managing the State Liquor Agency (and six pigs to raise at home!). She was a smart businesswoman and well-liked by customers and employees.
In January 1983, Joan married Donald Drake, her partner in adventure. They had an active life together, including travels in their RV and boating in Canada. They discovered the beaches of Baja California Sur, Mexico where they initially camped in their RV. In the early 1990s they purchased beachfront property on the East Cape of BCS, traveling on bumpy, sand and dirt roads about two hours from Cabo. Many years were spent transforming the property from an RV lot to a winter residence. Joan loved walking the beach in the mornings and rarely missed a day of walking in nearly 30 years of wintering in Mexico.
Joan’s many activities included kayaking and hiking at home and in Mexico, biking, skiing (which she took up at about age 50). She rode a quad in Mexico, sometimes with her special dog Sassy in her basket. She loved all dogs and Sassy was her special girl.
Joan’s quick smile, silliness and gentle and fun nature will be missed by all. She is survived by her husband, Donald, her four children and their spouses Joni and Bob Zimmerman, Cindy and Tim Nelson, Randy and Kirsten Young and Susan Musselman and Kirk Campbell, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and three brothers. She had many step grandchildren who loved her as well. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Wes, her parents and her two sisters, Shirley and Cecile, who she grew up with.
Many, many thanks to the wonderful nurses at the Skagit Regional Cancer Center for their loving care during treatments the past four years and the nurses who cared for her in her final days. Thanks also to the doctors and staff of the Cancer Center — this is an amazing resource for our community.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Joan’s name to the Cancer Care Center through the Skagit Regional Health Foundation, or the Humane Society of Skagit County. All are welcome to come and share memories and stories at the Celebration of Life from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse in La Conner.
