Joan H. Pierson

Joan Margaret Howell Pierson passed away at her home in Arcata on February 4, at the age of 86.

Joan was born on February 28, 1925, in Grants Pass, Oregon, to Herbert and Margaret Howell. Her elementary school years were spent in a one room school with two other students in her class. She said one student went on to become a successful architect while the other went to prison! As a youngster, Joan was a Girl Scout and excelled in 4-H, winning many blue ribbons for her cooking, sewing and leadership projects. She graduated from Astoria High School in Astoria, Oregon, where she was an outstanding student who served in a variety of leadership capacities, including editor of the high school newspaper. She also enjoyed playing high school basketball, volleyball and badminton.

Joan attended Oregon State College (now University), in Corvallis, Oregon, and graduated in 1947 with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. In a college with more than 5,000 students, she was again recognized for her academic achievements and campus leadership. During her four years at OSC, Joan served as business manager for The Daily Barometer student newspaper, was appointed to the Publications Committee which oversaw policies pertaining to the campus newspaper, yearbook and student guide, and was a member of Theta Sigma Phi, a national women’s journalism honorary. She was selected for membership in Euterpe, a music organization for OSC students who have taken more than six terms of music, and was tapped for membership in Orchesis, a national honor society for women in modern dance. She was also selected for membership in Omicron Nu, national honorary for senior women in Home Economics.

At the end of her junior year, Joan was tapped for membership in the prestigious national honorary, Mortar Board, for women who excel in leadership, scholarship and service. Only 13 women from her senior class were selected for this honor, including Joan, in the spring of 1946, and they forged a very close bond which has lasted 65 years. These women have celebrated and supported each other through all of life’s events via letters, phone calls and regular reunions, and Joan enjoyed them all.

Joan pledged Chi Omega sorority during her freshman year at Oregon State, and also enjoyed and maintained close connections with her Chi O sisters for many decades.

Growing up during the 1930s Depression Era helped shape her life. As a result, she cherished the opportunity to obtain a college degree and have a professional career. Even more importantly was her desire to marry and have a family.

After her OSC graduation, Joan worked in Klamath Falls, Oregon, as an Extension Agent in Agriculture Extension for three years. She enthusiastically worked with youth and helped organize 4-H clubs in the area, planned 4-H leadership events and served as a home economics demonstration agent.

In 1950 she moved to Corvallis, Oregon to work for the Oregon Cooperative Extension Service. Her supervisor and mentor was Miss Esther Taskerud, who strongly encouraged Joan to apply for a national 4-H fellowship to attend graduate school. Joan was the recipient of this national honor and earned a master’s degree in education in 1952 from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. One of her close friends during her time in Washington was the daughter of the Speaker of the House for the U.S. Congress. Joan was honored to be in her friend’s wedding and had fond memories of her time on the East Coast.

On July 5, 1953, Joan married Edwin Walter Pierson, at the John Jacob Astor Experiment Station just outside Astoria. Her father, Herbert Howell, served as station superintendent of this research farm from 1934 until 1965, and dedicated his life to agriculture industries of the Northwest. Joan and Ed’s wedding ceremony took place amongst the beautiful grounds that her father and mother so lovingly cared for. Her husband Ed was a former B-17 pilot who flew 25 bombing missions over Europe during WWII, and won many ribbons and medals for his military service. Ed was a widower at the time of their marriage and had one daughter.

The Pierson family moved to Arcata, California, in August 1953 as Ed was hired to start a two-year forestry program at Humboldt State College (now University). Joan and Ed’s family grew over the years to include two girls and three boys, and Joan relished her role as mother and homemaker and was totally dedicated to her family. During that time, Joan was active as a club leader in 4-H and Cub Scouts, PTA member and room mother for her children’s classrooms, was active in St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Arcata and Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka, and was involved with many other service projects and organizations. She was a member of her Chi Omega sorority’s alumnae chapter in the area, and was a member and twice president of her P.E.O. Chapter RN in Arcata.

Her college journalism background was put to good use when she started working for KIEM Television in Eureka in the early 1960s. Joan became a local celebrity doing television commercials and hosting her own cooking show. She enjoyed trying out different recipes with her family first before sharing with her television viewers, and her enthusiasm and professionalism made her a natural in the early days of television. Her media pursuits continued when the Pierson family moved to Corvallis for one-year stints on two separate occasions so Ed could pursue a Ph.D. in forestry at OSU. During one of those sabbaticals Joan hosted her own radio program on KOAC Public Radio at Oregon State University.

Joan was a professor of home economics at Humboldt State University from 1969 through 1983 where she inspired countless students to achieve their dreams. She took great joy in learning of her students’ successes and always encouraged them to find their passion so they could create a healthy and happy life for themselves. Joan inspired a strong work ethic in her students and held them to the highest standard. One of her favorite quotations that she liked to share with her students is from St. Jerome who said:

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better best.”

Upon her retirement from the University a scholarship was established in her honor. At her retirement celebration she was presented with a lovely framed certificate to commemorate the scholarship that read:

“For Joan Pierson’s 15 years of dedicated service at Humboldt State University as a master teacher, caring advisor, cooperative colleague and supportive friend, the Home Economics faculty, students and friends hereby establish in her honor the Joan Howell Pierson Home Economics Scholarship to be awarded to Home Economics majors who exhibit the positive qualities of high personal, academic and professional standards and a dedication to the improvement of the quality of life of individuals and families.”

In their later years, Joan and Ed enjoyed international travel, and fishing trips to favorite sites like Flaming Gorge in Utah, and many spots in Canada. Together they created a beautiful summer retreat for their family that included an A-frame cabin in the Trinity Alps of northern California, and spent many summers there enjoying the wilderness. Joan and Ed were also thrilled to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 5, 2003. Ed died on December 9, 2003 at the age of 86.

Joan enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, knitting, weaving and sewing, and had bird feeders outside her bedroom windows so she could watch for her special hummingbirds. She had a natural gift for making friendships that have lasted through the decades. Her home was always a welcoming place filled with family and friends, and she loved any opportunity for a nice long chat. She was happiest when surrounded by family and celebrating special family events.

She is survived by sons Cameron Howell Pierson and his wife Desiree of Arcata, Kirby Robert Pierson and his wife Anna of Red Bluff, Kendall Seymour Pierson and his wife Janelle of Redding; daughters Kimberly Sutton and her husband Jeff of Arcata, and Candace Pierson-Charlton and her husband David of Corvallis, Oregon; eight grandchildren Joshua Pierson and wife Danielle, Kristen and Trever Pierson, Caroline Charlton, Halley Sutton, Jason Hubbert and wife Janet, Kira Young and husband Gary, Leah Esturas-Pierson and partner Lorraine; great grandchildren Parker, Bella, Nick and Nate; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ed of 50 years; her parents; sisters Janet Messenger of Pasco, Washington, Jean Frazier of Norfolk, Virginia; and nephew Clifford Messenger of Washington state.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Lawrence Senffner and his staff for their many years of caring concern. Family members are especially grateful to Laurie Light, professional caregiver, for her outstanding care of Joan and her loving support of the entire family. The family also wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Hospice of Humboldt for their excellent care and support.

A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 10th, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Arcata. A reception will follow at Baywood Golf & Country Club. Private committal will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Humboldt - Del Norte Unit, 2942 F Street, Eureka, CA 95501-4425; the Edwin and Joan Pierson Forestry Endowment at Humboldt State University, Gift Processing Center, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521-8299 with checks made payable to Humboldt State University Advancement Foundation; or to Hospice of Humboldt, 2010 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501.

To leave messages or condolences for the family please visit www.paulchapel.com

Care is under the direction of Paul's Chapel, 1070 H Street, Arcata, California.