Violet Coson

Joan Coson, 96, lost her life tragically, on February 18, 2012, after a short stay at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. While there, she was surrounded both day and night by her loving family who used prayer and song to help carry her from this earth to God’s Heavenly Gate.

She was born on September 26, 1915 in Tacoma, Washington to immigrant Croatian parents, Ferdinand and Angela Stambuk. After her father’s untimely death, she was lovingly raised by her mother and stepfather, Joseph Mijich Sr., in the close-knit Slavic community of “old” Tacoma.

In an era when most women neither drove a car nor pursued a university education, she used her indomitable determination to do both. As a woman ahead of her time, she attended college at the University of Washington and went on to become Secretary/Treasurer of Martinac Ship Building Corporation in Tacoma. There, she was in charge of a large accounting staff whose job was to oversee the day-to-day operations of the company’s war time efforts of building mine sweepers for the US Navy.

In 1940, she met a handsome “larger than life” man, George E. Coson Jr., who swept her off her feet with his wit and charm. He sent her twelve dozen roses when asking for a first date, after their chance meeting in an elevator. They married in 1940 and, because of Mr. Coson’s ties to many of the Hollywood stars of his time, they moved to Las Vegas in 1942 with their infant son George III, to pursue a career in the entertainment business. In 1943, when the quality of family life won out, they returned to Tacoma until after the war where their second son, Fred, was born in 1944. In 1948, they decided to relocate. After narrowing their choices to either Yakima, WA or Boise, ID, the decision was made “Las Vegas” style—with the flip of a coin. Yakima won!

In 1950, they started Crescent Building Materials, first out of their home and later by renting the old Potlach Lumber Yard on South First Street, now the site of Valley Ford. Mrs. Coson was known for her fairness, dedication, and tireless work ethic. In fact, she insisted on finishing her accounts payables before going to the hospital while in labor with her third child, Sandra, who was born on the10th of the month in 1953. Many saw her not only as a boss, but as a mentor and friend who would give sage advice. Crescent Building Materials remained in business for over 50 years. Her husband (and business partner) died in 1974, and she continued to run the corporation with her son, George III, until her retirement at the age of 85.

Although dedicated to her work, Joan devoted herself to family life even more. Her family gave her great joy, and she never tired of seeing to all of their needs. With uncompromising love, courage, and her signature flair, she made each of them feel special and carried that same love forward with the birth of each of her four grandchildren and recently her great-grandson, Asher. Her love out-shined the brightest star.

Joan pursued everything with energy and her unique zest for life. She loved cooking, planning beautiful holidays and parties, traveling, fashion, just to name a few, and she excelled at it all! She had an incomparable eye for detail and beauty, and she was just fun. She was sharp as a tack and remained witty, charming, and clear minded right to the end. There is no way in the world to replace the laughter, the wisdom, and love that this special woman brought to the Coson family. “We feel so blessed!”

She lived a life of faith and found great solace in Jesus, His Mother, the Virgin Mary, and the Catholic Church. Now that her earthly journey is over, her children and grandchildren stand in awe of the good fortune they have had to share life with such a beautiful, elegant, and devout matriarch.

The family is grateful for many wonderful caregivers, friends, the nursing staff at Memorial Infusion Care, Dr. Albert Brady and his nurse, Jan Krug, and many others who helped to make her later years more fulfilling. We are especially grateful to her brother, Joseph T. Mijich, for his unending love and support.

Joan Coson is survived by her brother Joseph T. Mijich of Seattle, her three children George E. Coson III (Linda Lea), Fred (Jo Ann) Coson, Sr., Sandi Tilton (Mike Little), her grandchildren Stephanie Coson, George E. Coson IV, Angela (Brian) Dreher, and Fred J. Coson, Jr., and by her 9 month old great-grandson ,Asher Dreher, all of Yakima. She is preceded in death by her husband George E. Coson, Jr.

A visitation and prayer vigil is planned for Friday, February 24th at Keith and Keith Funeral Chapel in Terrace Heights. Viewing begins at 5:00PM and the prayer vigil will begin at 5:30PM. A Mass of Christian burial is planned for Saturday, February 25th at 1:00PM at Holy Family Chapel. Donations can be made in Mrs. Coson’s name to The American Red Cross Blood Bank or La Salle High School Foundation through Keith and Keith.