Joan Amaral age 90 of Murrieta, CA passed peacefully hours after a stroke on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 8:29 pm, at Rancho Springs Medical Center, surrounded by her loved ones. Joan was born on December 1, 1932 in Wisconsin to Joseph and Janet Joiner. The Joiner family moved to Long Beach, CA when Joan was a few months old. Joan was the oldest of seven children (Joan, James, Jean, Joyce, Joette, Janiice and John). Growing up in Long Beach, Joan loved going to the beach and enjoyed singing in the high school choir. She met John (Ray) Jackson at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and they were married in 1949. Together, Joan and John had seven children (Karen, Gary, Craig, Chris, Glenn, Gayle and Claire). After living in Long Beach for several years, the family moved to Buena Park to their brand new home on Ocaso Avenue. Joan was a homemaker and mom extraordinaire. She was a volunteer for all of the sports, scouts, PTA, cheerleading, church and other activities of her seven children. Joan was also the taxi driver, chef, seamstress, nurse, and amazing event planner for her family. She was always humming or singing a tune, such as Que’ Sera’, Up, Up and Away, and How Much is that Doggy in the Window? As her children grew older, Joan worked part-time for Watson Photography in the city of Walnut. After her divorce in the early 80’s Joan met and married Charlie Amaral. Joan and Charlie shared a love of Hawaii and together they created a catering business specializing in Hawaiian cuisine. In 1989 they moved to Murrieta where Joan was very active with her grandchildren and was committed to her volunteer position in the library at Rail Ranch School. She and Charlie especially enjoyed their excursions to the local casinos and Joan was “lady luck” with hitting jackpots on the slot machines. Upon the sudden passing of Charlie in 1997, Joan became a widow and longed for a life companion and she found that with her long-time friend James Thomas. Joan and Jim began a life as constant companions and shared many adventures traveling and visiting friends and family. In 2006 they moved to their house “on the hill” along with Gayle’s family. Joan enjoyed creating a beautiful garden with roses, vegetables, plumerias and succulents. She found great joy in pulling weeds and keeping the grounds pristine. She crocheted scarves and afghans, spent countless hours prepping arts and crafts for Willowbend Preschool and was a fan of Fox News. When they weren’t playing cards or dominoes, you could find Joan and Jim cruising in their RV exploring the countryside. Camping at the beach, dining at San Clemente Pier and travels as far as Florida were some of their memorable trips together. Most frequently they would drive their gold Yukon to the high Sierra to their beloved second home “The Pink Casita” in Bishop. In more recent years, Joan’s life has been a bit slower with fewer travels and more time was spent on the deck taking in the beautiful views from the house on the hill.
Joan is survived by: Her companion James Thomas, sons Gary Jackson (Claire), Craig Jackson (Colleen), Chris Jackson (Jules), and Glenn Jackson, Sr., and daughters Gayle Vergara (Raul) and Claire Jackson. Fourteen grandchildren: Kyle, Jamie (Paul), Jonathan (Samantha), Mathieu (Marie), Katie, Emily, Chelsea, Emily (James), Glenn, Jr. (Carlene), Julianne (Jeremiah), Lauren (Preston), Allison (Corey), Derek and Ryan. Thirteen great-grandchildren: Kayleigh, Andrew, Jaelynn, Lily, Daniel, Jackson, Hayden, Ryder, Lilah, Kylene, Carson, Liam and Jack. Additional survivors include: Sister Janiice (Jeff), brother John and extended family, Companion Jim’s three children, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Joan is predeceased by: Charles Amaral (husband), daughter Karen Kane, grandson Kevin Kane, brother James Joiner, sister Jean Tague, sister Joyce Brandow and sister Joette Waldon.
