JoAnn A. Alfonso

Joann (Jody) Alfonso was born August 2, 1935 in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Frederick and Marie Smith of Tacoma, Washington, who predeceased her. She passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at St. Martin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Joann attended Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington where she met and fell in love with Victor Robert Alfonso, Jr. and married him in 1954. Joann worked as a dental assistant and two years later gave birth to their son Shannon Victor Alfonso. In 1959 this young family relocated to Portland, Oregon. A few years later they welcomed their daughter Kimberly Marie Alfonso. In 1968 Vic, Joann and family moved to Eugene, Oregon where they purchased their first of many automotive dealerships. Joann was actively involved in her children’s schools where she held leadership roles in their related parental organizations.

The Alfonso family spent a great amount of time together in such activities as boating, skiing and golf trips. Vic and Joanne were privileged to enjoy a second home in Indian Wells, California where she made many dear and everlasting friendships. Joann loved to entertain and throw large parties. She was also actively involved in various charities such as the Breast Cancer Association and Catholic Charities. She was instrumental in the success of her husband’s businesses for over 50 years.

Upon moving back to Portland, Oregon in 1976, Vic and Joann became members of the Portland Yacht Club where they spent their summers cruising with members and dear friends. During these years, Joann loved to travel to Las Vegas where Vic and her ultimately moved to in 2013 upon retirement. She was unusually lucky at slot machines and profitably entertained herself at numerous slot tournaments.

Joann was the proud grandmother of Gregory and Eric Alfonso. They were truly the love of her life and she was looking so forward to the upcoming birth of her grandson Eric’s (and his wife Kelly’s) first child this coming May.

In 1986, Joann was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent radiation treatment. She was cancer free until 2014 when she would once again face cancer, this time in her lung. She was successfully treated at MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston, Texas. As a result of her own positive experience at MD Anderson Institute, she became a strong advocate to several others to seek medical treatment for their own cancers there.

To us, our family, there was no one like her. As a wife, she was elegant and committed to a lifetime marriage of almost 64 years. As a mother, she was full of love and extreme dedication. As a grandmother, she was present and always supportive. As a friend, she was dedicated and giving. In commemoration of Joann, the family asks for your everlasting prayers of remembrance for her spirit and that she remains in your hearts.