In Memoriam: Dee Rafferty

Dee Rafferty. Photo provided by John Stubbs

Dee Rafferty passed away peacefully on Nov. 26, just 10 days short of her 92nd birthday.

Born in Oak Grove, Missouri, in 1927, the oldest of five children, she grew up on the family farm that is still being operated by the family today. After completing high school, Dee worked at the local stock exchange where she put up the ever-changing prices on the board, kind of like the Vanna White of stock prices.

Dee left the farm for Los Angeles, California, before the age of 20. She married her high school sweetheart and raised five children. Dee had a long career in real estate, first in Orange County and then at Canyon Lake Realty.

Dee and her husband Jerry Rafferty enjoyed living in Canyon Lake for 15 years. They enjoyed the lake life and hosted many family gatherings at their waterfront home.

Dee and Jerry loved Kona, Hawaii, and traveled there at least once per year for more than 25 years, often spending a full month at a time in Kona.

After retiring they moved to The Village in Hemet. At The Village, ever the real estate agent, Dee enjoyed showing prospective buyers The Village property and serving on the Resident’s Board of Directors.

Dee was an avid sports fan and especially loved to follow baseball and basketball. She enjoyed sewing and was quite the seamstress. Later in life, she took up machine embroidery and kept the family supplied with decorated linens for every occasion.

Dee was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Rafferty and her youngest son Jeff Stubbs. She is survived by four children, Jena Massengil of Avery, CA, John Stubbs of Canyon Lake, Jylyn Stubbs of Maui, HI and Jane Holton of Cambria, CA, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Village in Hemet on Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.