Joan Helen Blacher

Joan was born and raised in Los Angeles. She graduated from University High School, attended the University of Redlands, graduated from the University of California, Berkley, and earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, majoring in counseling and education psychology.

During her career, Joan taught elementary school, special education and served as school psychologist in the Los Angeles Unified School District and as a school psychologist in the Pasadena Unified School District.

In 1973 Joan married Norman Blacher, and they moved to Somis. She then served as a school psychologist and principal for the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Office and as a professor and Director of the Counseling and Guidance graduate program in the School of Education at California Lutheran University. She also began a private practice as a licensed marriage, family therapist and licensed educational psychologist, and is the author of “Murder Canyon”, “Lethal Lake”, “Death on the Run” and numerous professional journal articles as well as coauthor of “Difficult Teens: A Parent’s Guide for Coping”. She lectured and gave workshops on writing, psychological and educational topics throughout the United States. Joan was listed in “Who’s Who in America” for over twenty years.

In addition to her involvement in many professional organizations such as Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, she was active in community organizations including Camarillo Hospice, Interface Children Family Services and the Vision Committee of the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund. She also was appointed to the Ventura County Mental Health Board and during one year she served as its Chair.

Joan is survived by her husband Norman and stepsons, Eric, Steven and Mark (Elly). She was preceded in death by her parents Isabel and Albert Oakholt.

A Memorial service will be held Saturday, November 14, 2015, 2:00 P.M. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.

Private burial will take place at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s name to the Ventura County Museum of History and Art, 100 Main St., Ventura, CA 93001 or to the School of Education at California Lutheran University, 60 West Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.