JoAnn Ellen Herring

JoAnn Ellen Herring passed away on February 2, 2021, at age 89, in the company of her children. JoAnn was born on November 28, 1931 in Fresno, California, moving with her family to the San Jose area at age 9.

JoAnn met her beloved husband Dr. Jack Herring as a teenager on an excursion to Santa Cruz. Both graduated from Lincoln High School. They were married in December 1952, honeymooning in Lake Tahoe, which remained a favorite destination in any season throughout her life. The first of their five children, Cathy, arrived in December 1953, and Doug and David were born before Jack graduated from UCSF medical school in 1958. JoAnn somehow managed this growing and rambunctious household while Jack studied and completed his residency. Two more daughters followed, Becky and Patty. The family settled in Willow Glen. As if five children weren’t enough, JoAnn and Jack hosted exchange students from Spain and Japan, and regularly had a houseful of teenagers in the “game room” downstairs. The family enjoyed many years of skiing and summer vacations at Northstar, Lake Tahoe. Other early vacation highlights were Camp Blue, backpacking in Tuolumne Meadows, and touring the Sierras in a Travel Trailer. Favorite destinations later included Hawaii, Palm Desert (with Becky’s & Patty’s families), Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. JoAnn and Jack also accompanied Cathy’s family on memorable tours of Alaska, the Panama Canal, and Italy.

JoAnn loved her family, and enjoyed hosting large gatherings at their home and Northstar year round, including Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Jack was a prolific photographer and JoAnn organized his many photos, chronicling vacations, events and holidays in bookshelves of albums. JoAnn proudly attended performances, competitions and graduations for all of her grandchildren. She was a tremendous sports fan (golf, tennis, football, soccer, gymnastics, ice skating), but particularly Cal football (she and Jack attended games for over 50 years), and San Francisco Giants baseball. She diligently kept her score sheets for every Giants game she attended, including Matt Cain’s perfect game, and two World Series games. In later years, she was devoted to NCAA football. JoAnn also loved to read, and usually had a book by her side. JoAnn was a long-time Girl Scout leader, member of the ToKalon Club in San Jose, and volunteered at The Thrift Box, benefiting the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

JoAnn was predeceased by her husband Jack, her siblings Shirley Stanton and Jack Deckert, and her son David Herring. She is survived by her children Cathy Ferrari (Mark), Doug Herring, Becky LaForge (Perry), Patricia Marazzito, grandchildren Chris (Abby), Jennifer, Bryan (Stephanie), Dustin, Jackie (Eric), Andrew, Joe, and Nick, and 11 great grandchildren. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, and her devoted cat Sierra.

Donations to ALS Golden West Chapter, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and Stanford Cancer Center.