Joan Katherine Mortensen

December 5, 1946 ~ February 12, 2012

Carmel Valley ~ Joan K. Mortensen, age 65, passed away on February 12 at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. A longtime resident of Carmel Valley, CA, she was born to Danish parents in Fresno, CA, where she grew up "turning" raisins on their vineyard. Joan received BA and MA degrees from California State University, Fresno, an MBA from Golden Gate University, Monterey, and a PhD in Psychology from Southern California University, Los Angeles.

Joan’s professional career began with the Departments of Health in Madera County and Monterey County, then on to serving as Executive Director of Beacon House, an alcohol and drug recovery program in Pacific Grove. Subsequent to this, she established her own successful private practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and maintained it until her health declined in October 2012.

Besides genuinely enjoying her career, Joan was an avid amateur photographer, a backpacker/trekker, world traveler, and competitive family pinochle player. More recently she and Connie became enamored with the island of Kauai and she with snorkeling.

Joan is survived by her Life Partner of over 30 years, Consuelo "Connie" Streett; two sisters, Dorothy Keeney of Fair Oaks, CA and Ellen Weddigen of Auburn, CA; brothers-in-law, Sal Streett of Roseville, CA., Sterling (Mary) Streett of Millsboro, Del. and Christian (Faith) Streett of Wilmington, Del.; nephew, Steven (Lori) Keeney and their son, John, all of Carmichael, CA.; nieces, Sharon Keeney of La Quinta, CA and Diana Weddigen of San Carlos, CA and her dog, Zoe, and cat, Sophia.

Joan will sorely be missed by all who knew her. The family would like to thank Dr. Nancy Rubin and staff, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula nursing service, VNA, and her support team of family and friends for caring for her from sunrise to sunset.

Services will be held at the Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 4585 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel next Sunday, February 26 at 2:00pm followed by a reception. Contributions may be sent to: Empowering Women of Nepal, www.3sistersadventure.com/EWN/Support; Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Carmel Valley, CA, 93924 or Animal Friends Rescue Project, 560 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, CA, 93950. Arrangements under the direction of The Paul Mortuary, Pacific Grove, CA.