Obituary of Grace Virginia Raburn

Grace Raburn who served as a court clerk to three Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judges and as County Counsel William Card's Secretary, died peacefully at the age of 96 in Santa Cruz, on February 22, 2013. Born in Arlington, Kansas, she was the eleventh child of Chris and Christina Sanders. When Grace was one and a half years old, her entire family moved to Holyoke, Colorado where she was raised on a corn and wheat farm. She and her first husband Edward Patrick moved to Bakersfield, California with their son Paul the year he entered first grade. Subsequently, they moved to Santa Cruz County where Paul finished school, and she remained for the rest of her life. In 1953, she went to work in the Santa Cruz County Clerk's Office, transferring to County Counsel William H. Card's office in 1960, and became a Superior Court Clerk in 1971 for Judges Gilbert Perry, Nick Drobac, and Charles Franich for the remainder of her 24 years of county service. An excellent seamstress, fine cook, and a very fine tennis player, her normally even personality was sorely taxed when she had to give up tennis at the age of 80 due to a detached retina. However, she continued to avidly follow the game the rest of her days. Grace was predeceased by all of her brothers, sisters, and their spouses, as well as by her second husband of more than fifty years, Dewey O. Raburn. She is survived by her only son Paul Patrick, his wife Joan, their three children, their spouses, eight great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and many dear friends. Services will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel (1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, 95062) on Sunday, March 3, 2013 beginning at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions to Hospice of Santa Cruz County would be appreciated. If you would like to share your condolences with Grace's family please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com