Joanne Ardith Gay

Joanne was born on the family farm near Thompson, ND on a very hot September 23, 1932 at 3:30pm, the youngest of five daughters born to Erwin and Amanda (Schroeder) Nienas. She attended Union 78 one-room schoolhouse, the first 8 grades, graduating from Central High School in Grand Forks, ND in June 1950. At the age of 20 Joanne ventured to Los Angeles, CA finding employment at Technicolor Motion Picture in Hollywood, making unforgettable memories and life-long friends. While there, she was privileged to sing in the Hope Lutheran Church choir under the direction of the late famous composer, then a teenager, Dale Wood. Moving to Portland to join three of her sisters and their families, Joanne was employed by Georgia-Pacific Corp. Law Department as Document Controller, until her retirement in 1987 after 29 years. On March 14, 1970 Joanne was united in marriage to James Fisher Gay, delighted in becoming step mom to Jamey, age 13, and full-time step mom to Kyle Norman, age 12. After retirement she became a full-time housewife, a semi-expert in growing her favorite flower roses, plus bonsai, and anything green, sewing, penning poetry, writing, reading tons of books, being involved in her churches and finding blessings in the ten years delivering Meals on Wheels with Jim, in addition to becoming a sports fan to Jim's and Kyle's passions, baseball, basketball and football. Joanne is survived by James Lawson Gay (Jamey) and Anita Abelson-Gay, their sons Michael, Nathan and Matthew, niece Carolyn Hoff Johnson, nephews Tad Gaulke, John Thorgramson and Tom Hoff. Leaving before her: Erwin and Amanda, Jim, sisters and brothers-in-law Eunice and George Hoff, Wanda and Bob Gaulke, Norma and Lyle Thorgramson, Dawn and Freddie King McNeeley, one of those few brave Chosin Reservoir Marine survivors, beloved stepson Kyle Norman, beloved nephews Charles Hoff, Jay Thorgramson, Mark Gaulke and 13th birthday gift beloved Timothy George Goff. Joanne was a member of Crossroads Church, and is buried alongside Jim at Sunnyside Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery in Clackamas.