Joann Naomi Tamura

JoAnn Tamura passed away peacefully on February 5, 2021 at the age of 82. Jo Ann was born in Sacramento on January 3, 1939 to Hideko and Fred Tamura. Her father passed away when Jo Ann was only 10 months old. In 1942, during the start of World War II, JoAnn and her mother were relocated to an Internment Camp in Colorado for approximately 2 years. After the war, JoAnn and her mother returned to Modesto, where Hideko worked as a legal secretary before passing away in 1965 when JoAnn was 25. After graduating from Modesto High and after attending MJC, JoAnn worked for 37 years in the Records Department at the old Scenic Hospital.

JoAnn loved to travel and visited Japan, Bangkok, Singapore, China, New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. JoAnn also traveled throughout the United States and Hawaii and she loved to take many bus trips throughout California, with MJC and other organizations. In her retirement, JoAnn enjoyed volunteering at the Gallo Center for the Arts, and held long time memberships in the Modesto Garden Club, Red Hat Society, and participated in many MICL classes.

JoAnn was a member of the First Congregational Church of Salida since 1950, and had many friendships there. She is survived by many cousins and relatives of the Kiyoi and Tamura families and many dear friends from her various activities.

JoAnn’s family would like to thank the staff at Casa de Modesto for their loving and dedicated caregiving and support the past three years.

Due to the pandemic, a celebration of life may be held at a later date. Remembrances may be made to the First Congregational Church of Salida.