Joan Gaffigan

Luginbuel Funeral Home - Vinita - 918-256-5555............................ Joan Lee Gaffigan, 90 year old Vinita resident, passed away May 12, 2015. Joan was born in Tulsa on July 4, 1924 to Ludovic and Dorothy (Hennage) Ladet. On July 18th, 1989 she was united in marriage to Joseph Gaffigan and moved back to her roots in Oklahoma, after spending some time in Illinois and attending the Art Institute of Chicago. Joan was a well-known artist in the community, winning many awards at various art shows in the region. Some of her works include the paper sculpture Stations of the Cross at the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Grove. Her artwork can be found in many homes and businesses in the community as well, including the Vinnie Reams Cultural Center, where she also served on the Board of Directors, taught art classes, helped with the renovation of Annie's Cabin and attended regular functions and workshops. Thanks to Joan's love of crafts, creativity, and patience, the Knit Wit Hookers was born, and there many a person learned to crochet and knit and above all, laugh together. Joan was also a member of the P.E.O. Chapter CG of Vinita. In her lifetime, she could have filled the Smithsonian Institute with the amount of artwork (in all types of mediums) and crafts that she produced. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Survivors include her children: Bart Durkin of Cotati, CA, Mark Durkin of Willits, CA, and Deborah Willis and husband Rus of Noxon, MT, brother: Thomas Ladet and wife Julie of Ashville, NC, grandchildren: Angie Foster, Todd Durkin, Chenoa Durkin, Emma Durkin, Joel Durkin, Crystal Durkin-Riehl, and Lucas Durkin, as well as numerous great grandchildren. Joan is preceded in death by her parents and husband Joseph. Memorial donations may be sent to the Vinnie Ream Cultural Center, P.O. Box 594, Vinita, OK 74301. Celebration of life services will be held at 3:00 pm, May 16th, 2015 at the Vinnie Ream Cultural Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com

Service Details

Saturday, May 16th, 2015 3:00pm, Vinnie Ream Cultural Center