Joan B. Hendrix

She was born in Oxnard, California on November 11, 1930 to Earl M. and Dorothy Hall Haas. Joan grew up with her older brother Ronald on a ranch near Northridge, California. She attended Winnetka Elementary School and graduated from Canoga Park High School in 1948 where she was active in sports, music and many school clubs. She graduated from Los Angeles Valley College (1951) and the University of Northern Colorado (1978) with a degree in elementary education.

Joan was married to John Edwin Hendrix II on April 10, 1954 in Sherman Oaks, California. They settled in Fresno, California where they began their family. In 1960 they and five-year old daughter Janet moved to Columbus, Ohio where she continued to build her family with the arrival of son James. Joan, a native Californian embraced Columbus, the Ohio State University community and her first mid-western winters. She operated an in home day-care while raising two young children of her own.

In 1967, Joan moved with her family to Fort Collins, a town she quickly grew to love. Joan and John built their home where they resided together for 48 years. Joan was passionate about elementary education as demonstrated by her twenty-five years of service in the Poudre School District as a teacher and paraprofessional, mostly at Harris Elementary School.

After retirement she continued as a substitute teacher, a volunteer for the school district and a member of the Poudre Retired School Education Association.

Joan had a love of history providing leadership to the Poudre Landmarks Foundation with the Avery House and the Historic Homes Tour. She volunteered in many capacities for both organizations, eventually serving as chair in each. She was also a member of the Casa Quasita Questers Antique Group serving as its chair for several years.

Joan enjoyed fun-filled times with family, biking, quilting, reading, helping neighbors, following the Denver Broncos and traveling with John.

A loving grandmother, she was very proud of her four grandchildren and was always quick to brag about them. Joan taught children to treat others as you would want to be treated, and that is how she lived her life.

Joan is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dr. John Hendrix; her brother Ronald Haas of Yakima, Washington; her daughter Janet Unfug of Fort Collins, husband D. Birch Unfug and their child Katherine (Kate); her son, Dr. James Hendrix of Chicago, IL and his children, Samuel, Matthew and Claire.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Poudre Landmarks Foundation, Avery House, or your chosen charity in the name of Joan Hendrix. A memorial is being planned and will be announced.