Obituary of Joan Blackham

Joan Rosemary Blackham was born July 9, 1922 in Canby, Oregon. She passed away December 20, 2004 in Santa Rosa, CA., with her loving family by her side. Beloved wife of the late Montieth "Monte" Blackham, very beloved mother of Melanie Moldenhauer of Santa Rosa, Ca., Cheri Rudy of Southlake, Tx., Jeri Garoutte of Stockton, Ca., and John Garoutte of Seattle, Wa. Joan was born in Canby, Oregon. She interrupted her college education to serve in the U.S. Navy during WWII. She then married and had four children. Upon a divorce, she completed her college education at San Jose State University while raising and supporting her four children and earned her Teaching Credential. She became a highly respected and loved 3rd grade Teacher at Bay View Elementary School for over 15 years before retiring to the Seattle area with her beloved husband Monte, whom she married in 1966 in Santa Cruz and had 24 years with before his passing in 1990 in Lodi, California. Joan continued to live in Lodi and Stockton for several years, recently moving to Santa Rosa to be near her daughter, Melanie. She also leaves behind one sister, Sally Briggs of Santa Ana, Ca., 9 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren and will be greatly missed. She enjoyed travel, new experiences, reading and writing poetry, the arts and helping those less fortunate. Her kind and gentle spirit will be very missed. Graveside services were held Wednesday, December 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at Cherokee Memorial Park, Hwy 99 & Harney Lane, Lodi, Ca. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, No. Bay Chapter, 1211 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, Ca. 95401 or to Bay View Elementary School Library, 1231 Bay St., Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060