Joan Carol Owen, loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away following a lengthy illness on June 27, 2013 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 3rd at 3:00, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston Street. A private internment will precede the memorial service at Ivy Lawn Cemetery.
Joan was born June 25, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri. Her family moved to California when she was five, first living in an apartment overlooking the outdoor filming lot at MGM Studios, and soon thereafter settling in La Jolla. Joan met her dear husband Perry in 1951, and they married the following year. Joan and Perry loved walking through Balboa Park and along the beaches of La Jolla, talking about art and science, and dancing to the likes of Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. After marrying, Joan and Perry moved to Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Atascadero, and finally, following the birth of their daughter Jenny, they reached Ventura in 1956.
Joan initially worked in the Ventura County Elections Office and then as an escrow officer. In 1970 Joan left the business world to fulfill her dream of opening a home daycare center where she loved and was loved by scores of children for the following ten years. In 1975 Joan founded the Ventura County Daycare Association in order to offer networking and training opportunities for home daycare providers throughout the Ventura County area. Following her successful career in daycare, Joan moved to the field of real estate where for over 30 years she was recognized and awarded for her honesty, impeccable attention to detail, exceptional customer service, and her resulting high level of sales.
Adversity early in Joan’s life firmly planted in her a strong sense of right and wrong, a commitment to morals and integrity, and selfless generosity. She was an active champion of women’s and children’s rights, progressive politics, endangered species and environmental protection. A proud moment in her life was when she intentionally drank from the other drinking fountain in Texas in the early 1950s, twice!
Joan was preceded in death by her mother Clara Frances Sanders, her two aunts Edith and Ethyl, and her Uncle Bud. She is survived by her husband Perry Owen, daughter Jenny Owen, step-sister Pamela Makino, step-brother Walt Sanders, and grandchildren Aaron and Amanda Wasil.
The family would like to warmly thank Joan’s doctors, nurses, home health aides and other health care providers for their skillful, loving and compassionate care. Their patience, dedication and professionalism made all the difference in the world, and we will be forever grateful.
When family and friends have passed away, Joan always had a redwood tree planted in their honor. So in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Save the Redwoods League, at http://www.savetheredwoods.org/ or (888) 836-0005
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