JOANN MARSHALL

Joann Marjorie Marshall

Joann Marjorie Marshall (Hansen) was born February 22, 1934 in Fresno California to her parents Arthur Richard and Margaret Graham Hansen. Joann was raised in Kerman California on a raisin ranch with her mother and father and four younger siblings (Darlene, Richard, Robert, Kenneth). As a young girl she helped out with many chores on the ranch like tending to livestock and working in the vineyard. Joann was involved in many activities growing up including piano lessons, square dancing, church activities, camping, waterskiing, and 4H. Joann raised livestock for 4H, even taking one of her champion steers to the Cow Palace in San Francisco in 1951. In high school Joann was involved in girl’s athletics, and was a pom pom girl. She excelled in academics and was her high school class salutatorian and attended Girls State in Sacramento. She graduated from Kerman High School in 1951, and went on to Cal State Fresno. In college she was involved in the modern dance group, and worked as a Girl Scout camp counselor in the summers. She completed her college degree in physical education in 1955.

Joann met her future husband John (Jack) Marshall when she was just 5 years old (approx). Their mothers were members of a child development club. Their respective families were members of the same grange and church. Jack and Joann knew each other for most of their lives. They started dating at the end of their senior year in high school and continued dating through college. Joann married her sweetheart Jack on June 11,1955 at the Church of the Brethren in Fresno, and honeymooned in Santa Barbara. Jack always introduced Joann as his “bride” until his passing in 1995.

After the honeymoon, Jack and Joann moved to Edwards AFB and lived on base for two years in an apartment. Jack worked as an assistant project engineer at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. Joann worked as a high school physical education teacher at Desert High school. In 1957 they moved into their first home in Lancaster California. Joann continued to teach PE at Antelope Valley High School until the birth of her first child in 1959. Joann had four children: Eric, Todd, Glenn, and Joan were all born at Antelope Valley Hospital. Jack and Joann moved into their second house in 1967 and raised their children and she remained in that home until her passing.

Joann continued her teaching career even after starting her family working as a substitute teacher, and continuing education teacher until her retirement in 1998.

In addition to her career Joann was a tireless servant in the Lancaster United Methodist Church, serving in many positions including Youth Ministries Coordinator, pastor parish committee, Youth and Adult Sunday School teacher, Bethel Bible studies leader, past district and local president of United Methodist Women, Circle Chairman, and Greeter. She also served on the Mission Trip to provide aid after Hurricane Katrina, Prayers for Squares, after school tutoring program, and much more. Joann also kept busy with many organizations in the community including: Community Concerts (board member), University Women, University Women piano recital group, Rotary Anns (hosted several Rotary and AFS foreign exchange students), the YMCA swim club the “Aquanauts”, Indian Maidens, Tri Gray Y. She served on the election board and volunteered our family home as a local polling place for several years. Joann helped her children's activities working as a class parent - attended field trips, supported the boy scouts, team mom for baseball and softball, attended many sports games, swim meets, and dance competitions, hosted numerous slumber parties and pancake breakfasts. In her later years Joann enjoyed going to exercise class four days a week, playing cards, meeting with her crochet group, playing the piano, and traveling. Joann always had a love for dancing. She enjoyed dancing with the Boogie Woogie Mamas, a senior dancing group, for 19 years and became an honorary lifetime member, and worked on getting the Boogie Woogie Mamas their non-profit status. She attended many dance competitions, went on cruises, and performed at community events.

At home Joann was a loving wife and mother. She spent many weekends playing with the kids on the boat, water skiing, and playing in the snow. The family’s favorite spot is Shaver Lake, California. Most family vacations were spent enjoying the lake, water skiing, hiking, picking gooseberries, evening walks, and playing cards.

Joann was the loving grandmother of 10 and great grandmother to 11. She was affectionately known as “Grandma Joann”.

Joann is survived by:
Children: Eric and Karen Marshall, Glenn and Lori Marshall, Joan Marshall
Grandchildren: Graham and Sarah Marshall, Kirsten Soquel, April and Courtney Deming, Charisa and Chris French, Zachary and Heather Marshall, Arthur and Corinne Marshall, Kathleen Dennis, Tyler and Amanda Marshall, Gordon Ganatta, Margot Ganatta.
Great Grandchildren: Elliot, Jack, Jamie, Kate, Joel, Micah, Caleb, Genesis,
Gabriel, Astrid, Kinsley.
Siblings: Darlene and Louis Roup, Kenneth and Mike Hansen
Preceded in death by: John Marshall (spouse), Todd Marshall (Son), Arthur and Margaret Hansen (parents), Richard Hansen and Robert Hansen (siblings).