Memorial services are pending for Joan Johnson, 87, of Tehachapi, California. She recently moved to Lynden and resided with her daughter, Jana Clow.
Joan lost her husband, Richard, on Dec. 27, 2016 after 67 years of marriage. Soon thereafter, she fell and broke a hip.
After rehab, she came to Washington for her grandson’s wedding and stayed to recuperate here.
She spent the last 11 days of her life at Whatcom Hospice House, where she was loved and cared for as if she were family.
Joan was a gifted writer and had some of her work published. She co-owned the Tehachapi News with her husband for 37 years.
She is survived by daughter Jana Clow of Lynden, son Scott and wife Pam of Tehachapi; grandchildren Matt (Liz), Megan Van Diest (Ryan) of Lynden, Christopher (Rachael) Clow of Evanston, Illinois, Samantha and Alec Johnson of Southern California; and three great-grandchildren Kyler, Brenyn and Jace Van Diest of Lynden. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and by her special niece Nancy Gibbons of Pismo Beach, California.
Joan will be inurned with her husband Dick at Bakersfield National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Whatcom Hospice House are greatly appreciated. Gillies Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
