Jo Ann Anderson

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part, then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”

~1 Corinthians 13: 12-13

JoAnn Anderson was born on October 30, 1936, and passed from this world on October 8, 2023. She was 86 years old. JoAnn was born in Yakima and lived most of her life in this beautiful valley. The oldest daughter of Margery and Otis Mitchell, she received her formal education in Yakima schools while also helping her parents in their family-run grocery stores. She graduated from Yakima High in 1954, and it was there that she met her future husband, Bill Anderson. Bill and JoAnn were married on August 4, 1956, and made their home in Yakima. Together, they celebrated the births of their three children, Greg, Debbie, and Teresa, and built their lives around family, friends, and their children's school, sports, and activities. The door on Prasch Avenue was always open to friends and family, and most especially to their children’s friends.

Although twelve years separated by age, JoAnn was blessed to have a younger sister, Judie Mitchell. She cared for her, took her everywhere, and later, upon their mother’s death, Judie came to live in the Anderson home.

JoAnn was a stay-at-home mom until 1971, when she began her lengthy career with the Yakima Public Schools. She loved every position she held with the Yakima School District, working in both the classroom and in administrative office locations. She cherished the friendships she made along the way. She retired from the YSD in 1998, then began volunteering at several locations throughout Yakima, though she shared a special fondness for volunteering at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital,

After Bill and JoAnn parted, she shared a special friendship with Alan Hull, and together they enjoyed lake fishing and traveling to the Oregon Coast.

JoAnn also enjoyed an incredibly special friendship with Brenda Porter in England that lasted most of her life. What started as an English assignment in high school, whereby JoAnn began writing to another 15-year-old “pen friend” in the U.K, turned to a lasting friendship that took JoAnn to England several times, and Brenda to Yakima several times. They traveled to Alaska, the Oregon Coast, and various places throughout the Pacific Northwest.

JoAnn loved her” best dog friends,” Sissy, Lucy, and Katy Penny and was a softie for all the wandering cats in her neighborhood. She enjoyed watching the Hallmark Channel and stayed up every night to watch late night comedy. Her children brought her the greatest joy, that is until her grandchildren were born. Her favorite yearly event was the family gathering at the vacation home in Cannon Beach. Those trips brought her much joy and happiness. She was a member of Grace of Christ (formerly First Presbyterian) Church and served many years as a Deacon there.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, several aunts and uncles, former husband Bill Anderson, special friend Alan Hull, and son-in-law Bruce Moorer.

She is survived by her son Greg (Andrea) Anderson, daughters Debbie Moorer and Teresa Anderson (Thor Amundson) and sister Judie Mitchell. She is also survived by her grandchildren Claire Moorer (Jordan Smith), Olivia Moorer (Caleb Wheeler), and Evan, Quinn, Grace, and Ella Anderson as well as nephew Brandon (Cherrie) Mitchell.

The family would like to offer thanks and gratitude to the staff at Good Samaritan and the Hospice staff with Heart Links who cared for JoAnn in her final weeks.

A private family burial is scheduled for Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, with a Memorial Service to follow at 12:00 at Grace of Christ Church, 9 South 8th Avenue in Yakima. A celebration of JoAnn’s life will then follow at Zesta Cucina. Bring your stories and celebrate with us as we eat and raise a glass to JoAnn.

Memorials in JoAnn’s name can be made to La Salle High School or to Yakima Valley Pet Rescue.

To leave a memory for the family please visit keithandkeith.com