Obituary of Joann Tomes

Joann Raymaley Tomes, 91 of Portland, Oregon, died surrounded by her family on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 of complications while recovering from pneumonia.  Known as “Josie” to her friends and family, she was born September 10, 1929 in Bridgeton, New Jersey, the only child of Elizabeth Witmeyer and Francis Alvin Raymaley.  Josie graduated from Lebanon High School in Lebanon, PA in 1947 and went on to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Home Economics.  She and her husband, Jim Tomes were married at Northwestern in 1954 and would have celebrated their 67^th anniversary this June.  Jim fondly recalls being introduced to Josie as “The best read girl at Northwestern.”  

 

While at Northwestern, Josie won a national writing contest to be a guest editor at the women’s magazine, Mademoiselle in New York City.  She spent the summer of 1950 working on the college edition of the magazine while staying at the famous Barbizon Hotel.  This launched her on a career in the fashion business in which she worked until well into her 80s.  Josie worked in the fashion office of Marshall Fields & Co. until her first child was born in 1960.  In 1962 Josie and Jim welcomed twins to the family and later another child in 1968.  Even as a busy mother of four, she continued her career as a gifted fashion writer and critic.  She later became an integral part of the Fashion Office at the Apparel Center in Chicago, putting together fashion shows and events for buyers in Chicago and other major US fashion centers as well as internationally, including Paris, France.

 

Throughout her life Josie maintained and shared with her family and friends her interest and love of the arts, especially cooking, theater, opera, and music.  She was a long time arts patron and active member of The Arts Club of Chicago, The Fortnightly Club of Chicago, The Caxton Club, as well as a member and active board member of the Japan America Society of Chicago.  In addition to spending time with their family, she and her husband shared many interests and particularly enjoyed their many trips and wonderful meals along the way.  They made life-long friends and memories wherever they went.

 

Josie is survived by her husband of 66 years, James, her four children, Robert, Betsy, John, and Julia and her six grandchildren, Elizabeth and John Sandbo, Alex and Kate Tomes, Flora and Erskine Wells, and her many Raymaley and Tomes relatives.

 

A private memorial service is planned for this summer when family can gather safely.  As a way to remember Josie, please consider making a donation to a theater or arts venue of your choice.   This pandemic has been especially difficult for this important part of Josie’s life and it would please her so much to see them being supported by all who loved her.

 

 

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