Joan Flach

Joan Ladd (Tormey) Flach was born July 5, 1931, in Portland, Oregon. She attended Fernwood Elementary and Grant High School, where she established friendships maintained throughout life. She continued to meet with the "Grant Grannies" until shortly before her death on Jan. 12, 2014, a few days after suffering a stroke. Born to Earl Tormey and Ella Jane Ladd Tormey, Joan was really raised by her grandmother, "GaGa" Della Tomlinson Ladd. She met the love of her life, Lewie Flach, who was a year behind her at Grant, in 1948. Together, they navigated 65 years together, successfully raised four children at their home in Mt. Tabor, enjoyed travels internationally and doted on their grandkids. Joan worked as a receptionist early on, but spent most of her life as a housewife and mother, supporting Lewie as he worked his way through dental school and built a practice and managing the busy lives of her active kids with grace and love, attending all their events. When her children were launched, she also volunteered at Providence Medical Center and worked at Nordstrom as a personal shopper. In her free time she was a voracious reader, she loved and marketed antiques and nostalgia items, visited friends and exercised. Later in life she experienced fulfillment as she mentored scores of women in recovery from alcoholism, which may be as much a legacy as her family. Joan is survived by her husband of 60 years; children, Graig Flach, Karyn Green, Mike Flach and Coleen Davis, and their wonderful spouses, all of the greater Portland area; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Surrounded by family, Joan spent her last days at her home of 40 years, in Boring. Her memorial service, a celebration of her resurrection in Jesus Christ, will be held privately. Remembrances to the Salvation Army. Arrangements under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, OR.