Joan Mary Brammer

March 24, 1932 - October 29, 2024

Joan Brammer passed away unexpectedly on October 29, 2024, at her home in the Hampshire in Merced, CA. She was born in Richmond, CA on March 24, 1932. The family moved to Los Angeles during the buildup to WWII as her father, Willard, was an aviation metal-smith. In 1941 they moved back to Alameda where Willard worked at the Alameda NAS for 27 years. Joan attended Point Richmond and Alameda schools and went to college at Cal, where she met James Donald Brammer, Jr. They were married in Alameda on June 20, 1954, and settled in Merced, where his family lived.

As a young adult, Joan spent her summers working as a maid at Camp Curry in Yosemite and was a Red Cross certified swim instructor. She also worked for Capwells in Oakland, Social Services in Merced Co., and Spriggs Stationers. For many years during the busy tax season she worked at the family accounting firm, Olson, Olson and Brammer. Joan was also the usual organizer of the “SOBs”, the large family group that went camping together for decades.

Throughout her life, Joan was active in many groups and clubs including Job’s Daughters, Junior Women’s Club, AAUW Assoc. Member, Hospital Assistance League, Bargain Bungalow, and as a volunteer at M.C.M.C. from 1973-1993. Being the mother of 3 daughters and a former Camp Fire Girl herself, she also was a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl leader and headed up the annual candy sale; Wo-He-Lo to all of her girls, many of whom she was still in touch with.

Joan was the epitome of generosity and caring, and was cherished by all who knew her. She was a joyful and fun-loving person and remained a child at heart. She loved decorating for ALL the holidays and enjoyed showing the decorations to all the little kids (and big kids) she could. As an avid collector, nearly every holiday had a display, including Bastille Day and Día de los Muertos. She especially enjoyed displaying all things Santa and for years filled every available space in her house to show off the 1000s of every kind and size of Santa imaginable. She adored her bridge group friends of over 50 years (Julia, Liz, Leona, Herma, Lenore, Doris, and Evelyn). Joan and Don traveled a lot in both the U.S. and other parts of the world. After Don’s death, daughter Jennifer became her travel companion to more exotic places as long as it was by cruise ship.

Joan was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Episcopal (now Anglican) Church, where she engaged deeply with her community and her faith. Her hobbies included playing games with friends and family, creating personalized greeting cards and individualized and fun dictionaries for children. She liked to doodle and remained active in artistic endeavors and crafts all of her life. Joan adored swimming, camping, acrostics and crossword puzzles (in ink), ballet, movies and musical theater, and avocados. Just saying one key word in her presence could cause her to burst out in song to a related show tune. Sometimes it seemed one of Joan’s main goals in life was to make sure everyone got a cake on their birthday (so that she could hopefully get an end piece with extra frosting).

Her husband, Don, preceded her in death in 2004. She was also predeceased by her parents, Jean (Moyle) and Willard R. Spiersch, and her brothers, Frederick W. Spiersch and Thomas R. Spiersch, brother-in-law Larry Brammer, and step-sister, Wendy Olson Dodge. Joan also greatly loved her mother- and father-in-law, Helen Cory Brammer Olson and Wendell J. Olson, and helped take care of Helen in her last years.

She is survived by her loving daughters and sons-in-law, Katie Brammer and Rick Stubblefield, Lisa and Neil Schertz, and Jennifer and Rory Randol. She deeply loved all of her grandchildren; Joshua (Laura Moore) Randol, Kathleen (Josh) Van Sickle, Spencer Randol, Stephen Schertz, Troy Schertz, Keith (Shanda) Schertz, and Robert Schertz. She was preceded in death by her grandson Jonathan Randol in 2020. She also leaves behind 6 adored great-grandchildren; Gabriella, Kendon and Nolan Randol, Hunter (son of Jonathan and Stacey S. Randol) and his half-sister, Samantha Hicks-Randol, and Layla Schertz. In addition she is survived by her nieces and nephews and their families; Sarah (Matt) Fike, Tim Spiersch, Matt Spiersch, Michele Spiersch, Carole (Richard) Thomas; her dear sister-in-law, Sue Spiersch, of Alameda. She also leaves several cherished cousins in California, Oregon and Nevada. Joan’s family was the center of her world, and she was the heart of theirs.

We could continue with the names of many other people who enriched her life such as her St. Luke’s family (thank you Nancy Tapia), her “co-inmates” at the Hampshire, her Patricia Lane neighbors of 62 years, and the Monterey travel group of Ginny-Janet-Jackie-Janice-and-Jenny. One of her oldest and most beloved friends was Jackie Kivley. They met as young mothers in the 1950s and remained best friends for the rest of their lives. In addition, dear friend and companion in mischief, Jeannie Shaw, was in touch with her every day.

Joan’s giving and joyful nature extended beyond her immediate circle and she was always ready to support others in any way she could. She will be remembered for her warmth, her unwavering support of her family, and her generous spirit.

Family and friends are invited to attend the service at St. Joseph’s Chapel, 2740 M Street, Merced (old Mercy Hospital) 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, with a reception following at the Merced Golf and Country Club at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Merced Co. Courthouse Museum, Hinds Hospice of Merced, Playhouse Merced, St. Luke’s c/o Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin, or the charity of your choice.