Joan Stedman

Joan was born on July 31, 1944, in Oakland California. She has one older sister and one younger brother. She lived in Orland, CA where her father had an all-jersey dairy and learned how to take care of dairy animals as well as other farm critters.

While she was in junior high, the family moved to Eureka, Ca where her father worked as a glazier. This is where she obtained her interest in all things glass. Joan graduated from St. Bernard’s High School where she lettered on the school tennis team for four years. She graduated with Honors in 1963.

Joan and Hal met in 1962 and married in 1965. Joan worked in accounting/bookkeeping while Hal went to college and graduated in 1971 from San Jose State College. They then moved to Oregon and finally settled in Tigard in 1973. Joan worked at Oregon Education Association as bookkeeper and secretary for 19 years. They have two sons and two grandchildren.

They moved to Goodyear Az in 2000 and took up residence in PebbleCreek Golf Resort because Joan desired to return to playing tennis after retirement. She played on various women’s teams throughout the following 20 years and made many great friends. She regularly attended Aerobics classes and used the swimming and lap pools to maintain her tan and get water exercise.

In 2009 she began creating art using fused glass in the community’s Arts and Crafts center. Through her love of color and design she produced many beautiful contemporary glass art works which adorn her own house as well as others in the community. Everyone will remember Joan working in the Art Gallery on Tuesdays. She really enjoyed helping all the customers and artists that she had contact with.

Traveling to warm places to escape the Oregon winters was a passion for Joan. Hawaii was always high on her list, but there were many trips to Florida and the Caribbean as well. Maui was her absolute favorite though.

In June 2022, Joan was diagnosed with a rare cancer in her sinus. She endured three surgeries,6 months of immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Sadly, the relentless disease took her life on October 28, 2023. She passed peacefully in her own bed at 2:00 PM. With both her sons and her husband by her side.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John Vianny Catholic Church in Goodyear, Az Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 10:00 AM.

Please send any flowers to Thompson Funeral Chapel for inclusion in the church service display.