Joan Roberta Chaichi

yet with our hearts filled with love and gratitude,

that we commemorate the passing of our

Beloved wife, mother, sister and friend,

JOAN ROBERTA CHAICHI

August 17,1960 - May 14, 2021

Beaverton, Oregon

We celebrate the life of Joan Roberta Chaichi, a loving, loyal and generous Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend, lost to this world too soon.

Joan’s childhood on the family cherry orchard in The Dalles taught her the value of hard work and tenacity. Her late mother and father also instilled in Joan a thirst for education. She graduated from The Dalles High School in 1978 then earned her Bachelors degree in accounting at University of Portland in 1982, prior to launching her long-term career in the logistics industry. Later, while being an active wife and mother as well as holding down her full-time job, Joan earned her MBA from the University of Portland.

While she excelled at her “work” career, home was the location Joan most enjoyed. Joan is remembered by her husband Abdi and children, Farrah and Ryan as someone who would prioritize family time over all else, making sure her children could participate in baseball games, band concerts, school trips, and activities from the DECA competition to Student Graduation festivities. An example of Joan’s ability to manage her time and “get things done” is the fact that just since January this year Joan had already read one hundred books. Perhaps we can be inspired through Joan’s example to better utilize our own precious time. Joan also made her home the traditional gathering place for the Thanksgiving feast and celebration for her extended Pink family. Since her passing her family has repeatedly shared how Joan brought us together and was the glue keeping us connected.

Before Joan’s retirement, she worked for 35-years in accounting and management at Portland based Consolidated Freightways. Her work ethic and abilities made her a valuable team member proven by the management’s commitment to retain her employment while so many of her colleagues were let go through numerous corporate restructures and mergers. In 2017, Joan finally chose to retire, on her terms, from what is now known as XPO Logistics. Not only did she finely hone her vocational skills, Joan also made numerous loyal and lifelong friends. After her “retirement” Joan continued to practice professionally. Joan was frequently called on by former employers and other industry peers to return to her work and share her lifetime of expertise. There were times when the word “retired” did not seem to do justice to Joan’s still active and productive work life.

Later in life Joan found a faith in Jesus Christ that became a guiding light in her life. Most recently she was an active member of Living Waters Fellowship of Beaverton, Oregon. Joan made time to volunteer as well as assisting with the organization’s financials and actively participating in Bible studies. She looked forward to those weekly Bible studies as well as the church’s Women's Conferences on the Oregon coast. Joan always found a way to help other congregants in any capacity she could, including providing financial guidance and joining them in prayer.

Joan also took great joy from travel and family vacations, fully embracing exotic experiences. She recently described to her family an adventure “off the beaten track” with husband, Abdi. She summed it up with a clear message: ”I got to see more of Hawaii than just Dolphins”.

Joan is survived by her husband, Abdi Chaichi, Beaverton, Oregon; daughter Farrah Chaichi (Keith Haxton), Beaverton, Oregon; son Ryan Chaichi, Silver Creek, Georgia; brother Casey Pink (Jody Pink) of The Dalles, Oregon; sister Dorothy Doyle (Al Doyle), Seattle, Washington; nephew Joshua Pink, The Dalles, Oregon; niece Jenny Premysler (David Premysler), Portland, Oregon; nephew Dustin Heins (Katie Heins), Bellingham, Washington; nephew Brent Heins, Bellingham, Washington; great-nephew Skyler Conklin, The Dalles, Oregon; great-nephew Gabe Pink, The Dalles, Oregon; great-niece Iyla Premysler, Portland, Oregon; great-niece Gemma Premysler, Portland, Oregon.

A private family graveside interment was held at Finley-Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Portland, Oregon on June 9, 2021. A memorial and celebration of Joan’s life will be announced at a future date.

In honor of the love Joan felt for her “granddogs” Azzurri and Lilly, donations can be made in lieu of flowers to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, Portland, OR 97209

https://donate.dovelewis.org/