Joan Carla Wilson

Joan grew up in the Ballard and Lake City neighborhoods of Seattle, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1952 and attending the University of Washington while working for the telephone company. After marrying Robert Donald Wilson (Don) on August 31, 1956 they lived again in Ballard before settling in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of Seattle. Joan & Don would have celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this month. While raising four children, Joan volunteered her time with the PTA, Scouting, Job’s Daughters, March of Dimes, Phrateres, and Daughters of Norway. At Lake City Presbyterian Church where she was a member for over 80 years, Joan taught Sunday School, was Vacation Bible School Director & teacher, sang in the choir, was an elected Elder and served for many years as Clerk of Session. She held many leadership positions with the Church, Presbytery, Synod & Church-wide Presbyterian Women organizations.

Joan loved to travel and enjoyed family trips around the US and Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Holland. She also traveled as a representative of Presbyterian Women to South Korea, Guatemala & Nicaragua as well as Egypt, Syria & Israel-Palestine returning to educate women’s groups of the presbytery of the plight of women in these areas and how they could help and support them. Joan traveled a number of times, with the local church and family members, to Kake, Alaska to assist with presenting Vacation Bible School to children of this remote community and to Othello, Washington to minister to children of migrant workers.

Joan’s love of researching genealogy led to many interesting walks through church cemeteries in the US, England, Norway, Sweden and visits with numerous cousins and extended family.

Joan was preceded in death by her father, Raymond C. Freeman Sr.; her mother, Carla J. Freeman (Wiggen); her elder brother, Raymond C. Freeman Jr.; her brother-in-law, Vaughn McClure; and sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Freeman.

Joan is survived by her loving husband, Don Wilson; sister, Elaine “Sally” McClure; brother, Charles Freeman; sisters-in-law Betty Freeman and Lenore (Jim) Robb; children Gordy (Connie) Wilson, Shelley (Ben) Fabens, Carla (John) Blake, Dale (Sherrie) Wilson; 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces & nephews who she loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lake City Presbyterian Church, the Hunger Intervention Program (HIP), and/or Seattle Medic One.

A Memorial Service will be held at Lake City Presbyterian Church, Saturday, August 21st at 2:00pm. 3841 NE 123rd St., Seattle, WA 98125