• Mrs. DeRaps was born in 1926 on the Indian Brook Reserve, Shubenacadie, NS, Canada, the daughter of Matilda Sach and Frank Thomas. At three years of age she was adopted by her Aunt and uncle, Joseph and Marie Knockwood of Kingfield, ME. She attended local schools and classes by Native American artists where she learned her trade. She presented her art and crafts at trade shows, powwow's, one woman presentations, and local art fairs.
• Mrs. DeRaps is survived by her husband of more than fifty years, Joseph Phillip DeRaps, by four daughters, Theresa Hoover, Vanceborough NC, Carmen Hooke, Strong, ME, Yvonne Graves, Ancramdale NY, Jacqueline Nerney, Strong ME, and one son, Michael DeRaps, Rangeley ME. Fifteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by daughter Michelle Pinkham, an infant son Joseph Earl, and grandson Steven Hooke.
• Mrs. DeRaps was the recipient of many awards and blue ribbons including several best of show. She was an elder advisor and council member to the Maine Mikmaq Indian Tribe and to the Four Winds Foundation, an international indigenous peoples foundation, she was a board member of the Thunder on The Beach Foundation, and a founding director of the Thunder on The Beach Corporation, a non-profit indigenous peoples business for the raising of scholarship funds. She was also an advisor to world renown artist Melody Lightfeather. She made many outstanding contributions as an elder and her cultural wisdom was appreciated at many events.
• Mrs. DeRaps was renown for the insight she shared intellectually for the disciplined way of using the amazingly efficient path to the fastest way with problem resolution and completion of artistry. She was famously the leader of many an artist event.
• Mrs. DeRaps was a prodigious artist. her entire works over the years was collected and prized by people purchasing well in advance of public display. She corresponded regularly with several friends and other artists and was renown for her exceptional penmanship. She strenuously preferred the fountain pen to more conventional post.
• Mrs. DeRaps was notorious for her wit, eloquence and humor and way with words. In her capacity as intellectual challenge, she presented her culture with stories. Mrs. DeRaps enriched the children at many a powwow and school with oral history.
• Mrs. DeRaps, her husband and children had a fondness for exploring many state and national parks, fairs and carnival events in their camper. They spent many summers on Cape Cod in MA.

International Peace Pilgrimage
The International Peace Pilgrimage aims to realise a future without the threat of nuclear weapons and waste.
The initiative is supported by many communities and organisations.