Joan Ullom

Joan Elizabeth Ullom passed at her home on March 2, 2023, after a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. Joan was born June 5, 1958 in Pontiac Michigan to Joseph and Jean Ullom. She was the third of four children and enjoyed following her dad, helping with a variety of projects where she learned a multitude of skills. At the age of 8, the family moved to the Green Lake area of Seattle, Washington where Joan met her life long friend Heidi Roy (Marcos). She attended Lincoln High School, finding her niche in choral music and art classes. After high school, Joan attended Central Washington University, majoring in music education.

College summers were spent breaking horses and working for the Department of Natural Resources, on a trail crew in the Ahtanum area. During these summers, she met long time friends Dan Haldeman (Ruth) and his sister Betty Haldeman (John Forstrom). This started a 40 year tradition of backpacking the Pacific Northwest every summer. Along with the three of them, friends, family and dogs joined them off and on. Rarely, for unfathomable reasons, did these friends return for a second trip.

After graduating from Central in 1981, Joan took a teaching position with the Naches Valley School District. When starting, there was no middle school choir and just a handful of high school students in her choir. Over the next 31 years, Joan built the program to 50+ students in each choir, performing around the valley and at Songfest, the Whistler Music Festival and Carnegie Hall. When adjudicated, her choirs often received the highest marks, testifying to the hard work of Joan and her students.

Throughout her life, Joan was surrounded by the animals she loved. Atop of a horse, she would ride trails with a couple of dogs following along. When not on a horse, she was on her feet, and said she the happiest when on a trail with a dog by her side. When not in the mountains, Joan enjoyed most outdoor activities. She played softball, tennis, golf and loved to swim as well as ski and snow camp in the winter. She had an unparalleled sense of adventure that she shared with many, offering new experiences that were always fun.

Upon retirement in 2014, the backpacking trips turned to car camping and day hiking trips, but offered the opportunity to travel to the Southwest. She enjoyed fishing trips, crabbing, clamming, growing a vegetable garden and daily hikes at Snow Mountain.

Joan was preceded in death by her brother Craig Ullom, Mother Jean Ullom, and long time friend Betty Haldeman. She is survived by her Father, Joe Ullom (Lila), sisters Sandy Ullom (Bill Keller) and Sue Ullom (Jim Kincaid), multiple nieces and nephews along with their children and her dog, Minnie Pearl. She also leaves behind her best friend Ali Schnebly.

A memorial service is planned for March 18, 2023 at 2pm at the Keith and Keith Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flower, donations can be made to the Yakima Valley Humane Society or the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Ullom family.