Joanna passed away peacefully and without pain on Nov. 28, 206 at Lahari Hospice in Deer Harbor on Orcas Island.

Joanna was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (bone cancer) in 2004. She chose to live the rest of her life to the fullest despite the trials of the disease. Donations to the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) can be made by contacting 1-800-452-2873 or www.myeloma.org. Local memorials can be made to Lahari Hospice and Respite Care center, P.O. Box 50, Deer Harbor, Washington 98243.

Born Joann Nadine Serwold on August 26, 1931 to Olaf and Helen Serwold, Joanna grew up in Poulsbo, Washington with her younger brother Roger. A nurse by training, she worked abroad and in the Seattle/Portland area until the mid 1980’s. Highlights were working in Germany for the Red Cross, on the Northern Pacific Railway as a Stewardess Nurse, for the Steven’s Pass Ski Patrol and as a youth camp nurse for numerous school and church outings.

An adventurous woman, Joanna’s love of water and snow skiing were incorporated into many of her travels throughout her life. The friendships she made along the way endured and she counted those as most cherished. A lifelong learner, she shared her insight and wisdom with friends that she made in various spiritual circles from Egypt to India and Australia.

a longtime resident of the Seattle area, Joanna made Orcas Island her vacation home for many years until moving to the island fulltime six years ago. She made many beautiful, loving friends and often said that the times she spent of Orcas were the very brightest in her life. She loved to share her cabin on Orcas with friends both old and new — relatives, eagles, raccoons, otters and shipwrecked sailors who came her way.

Tending the geraniums, nasturtiums and daisies that were her signature flowers made her very popular with the resident deer.

Sharing her love of nature and the beauty of the outdoors with her daughters and then in later years with her most cherished granddaughters was very important to Joanna. Boat trips in the San Juan’s and Canada, trips to Maui and visits to “Grandma’s cabin” on Orcas helped to shape their lives.

At her request, a private memorial gathering will be held by her family. Joanna would like her friends to know that “I have had a long, beautiful and adventurous life: and to enjoy a beach fire at sunset with good friends and a glass of jug wine in her memory.

Joann is survived by her brother Roger, her daughters Helsa and Greta and her granddaughters Leah and Kelsi. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered while we enjoy this beautiful life she shared with us.