Joan Frances Mize

Joan was born on October 15, 1943, in Burbank, California. She grew up in Arizona and was a graduate of Scottsdale High School, Phoenix College, and studied business at Indiana State University in Evansville.

In 1963, she married John Jennings, and together they had a son, Christopher. They divorced in 1968, and Joan was remarried to Gary Mize in 1969, and they had a daughter, Michelle.

While raising her two children in Evansville, Joan volunteered with the Junior Women’s Club and was an active member of the local skating community. She also owned and operated the Westport Pro Shop at the Swonder Ice Arena.

In 1992, Joan moved to Pennsylvania, where she continued figure skating and began judging competitions and test sessions.

She was a member of the Philadelphia Skating Club, the Portland Ice Skating Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. An entrepreneur, figure skater, world traveler, avid reader, and animal advocate, Joan loved a good joke and was generous with her time, volunteering for several charitable organizations in both Philadelphia and Portland.

A unique soul, Joan was a brave, kind, gentle, funny, and adventurous free spirit who will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Christopher Jennings (Deirdre), her daughter, Michelle Mize (Dylon), her three granddaughters, Esja, Katelin, and Mareya, and her beloved cats, Sammy and Iko.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Joan in Portland, Oregon, in January 2025.

Memorial donations may be made in Joan’s name to any of the following organizations:

•The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

•The American Cancer Society

•St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

•The Portland Humane Society / Cat Adoption Team

•The San Diego Humane Society

•Portland Ice Skating Club Foundation

•The Wounded Warriors Project