Joan Frances Hamlin Achuff was born April 20, 1931, in Norwood, Massachusetts to her parents, Frances and Horace Hamlin. She lived in the Norfolk, Massachusetts area until her marriage in 1957 to Walter Dick Achuff. They moved first to Utah, and then California, where they had two children. They lived on the grounds at San Quentin State Prison, where Dick was an Associate Warden from 1958-1963.
Joan spent the majority of her life in Alta Loma, California, where she raised her children, became involved with her churches and pursued a career in school busing. Joan was Director of Transportation for the Alta Loma Elementary School District and later for the Chaffey Unified High School District. She was also a certified school bus driving instructor.
Joan was a member of the Cucamonga United Methodist Church for many years and was most recently a member of the Upland Disciples of Christ Church. She loved music and sang in choirs her entire life in addition to singing solos.
In the 1980s, Joan decided to learn how to fly and earned her private pilot's license. She eventually flew across the United States and back with her best friend. Joan loved animals and always had cats, dogs and horses as part of her family.
Joan went to join her husband and parents in heaven on August 4, 2023. She is survived by her son Mark Achuff, her daughter Susan Achuff, her brother Roy Hamlin and two granddaughters, Jennifer Achuff and Camryn Romo. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 16 at Upland Christian Church, 1510 North San Antonio Avenue, Upland, California, 3:00 p.m.
Donations can be made to:
Brian Hamlin Jr. Memorial Fund,103 High Street, Plainville, MA 02762
Venmo can be sent to @Brian-Hamlin-8
Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue (for Sam and Pete) at CtDraftRescue.org
or 113 Chestnut Hill Rd., East Hampton, CT 06424
