Lila A. Mapes (Gagi) passed away peacefully in her family home on December 17, 2021 with her great-granddaughters, RieAnn and McKenna by her side and her grandson, Johnny holding her hand.
Lila was born March 1 1933 in Sacramento California to Joseph and Lila Wayve (Willard) Raviotta. Lila had 4 siblings who she loved dearly. She is survived by her baby brother, Johnny Raviotta of California. Johnny said, “She raised me, we were so very close, I will miss her!” Lila had many adventures in her life after leaving California but found her way to Skagit Valley in the 70s and made it her home. In 1978 she married the love of her life, Gerry Mapes. This union made her a staple in the Valley for many years. Gerry and Lila ran the Mapes Berry Farm on Sterling Rd. in Sedro-Woolley. If you picked berries in Woolley in the 70’s,80’s,or early 90’s odds are you got a chance to see her sweet smile and spend some time on the farm.
Lila had 3 children, Jamie (Rod) Jewell, Nancy Matson, and Michael Compton. And from those children came many grand and great grandchildren. Lila loved her grandbabies- Johnny (Trish) Whitlock, Steven (Jennifer) Garret, Luke, Carrie, and Jessa
But her great grandbabies filled her heart. RieAnn, McKenna, Christopher and Tyler Whitlock and Andrew, Riley, Wyatt and Beau Garrett were her reasons to smile.
Lila was so very proud of her Italian heritage; She was a first-generation Italian American and that showed most when it was time for a family dinner. Lila loved to cook for the ones she loved, with that came her spaghetti family dinners. Lila would spend days preparing a homemade sauce filled with meats and potatoes. She loved to watch her family gather and eat. No Christmas was complete without spritz cookies, with raspberry filling of course and almond pastries. But no matter what was for dinner, you can bet that red wine would be served!!!
Lila loved her red wine, Bonnie Wilkerson, her beloved best friend recalled memories of their many shopping trips. “In the early days we would be gone for hours but come home empty handed. Garland and Gerry would question how we could go and never buy anything. But in the later years, some days we didn’t even make it to a second store. We would just find a place that had food and a glass of wine and head home. ”
Wednesday nights you could find Lila and Bonnie with Marsha Fowler and Lee Right playing Left, Right Center at the Burlington Eagles. Many memories were made at that table in the corner. Bonnie and her family will miss Lila dearly.
The memories that were made at the Mapes Berry Farm will live on in the hearts that loved Lila. And they find great comfort knowing that Gerry was waiting on the other side for his “Honey” She will be missed beyond measure, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved her. Lila will be laid to rest next to her husband, Jerry at Green Hills Cemetery, Burlington. A Celebration of Life will be held at noon, Saturday, January 8, 2022 at her home. Share your memories of Lila and sign the online guest register.
Lila will always have a special place in our hearts and memories. She was indeed a special person and will be missed.
Our heart felt condolences to all her family and friends.