Joan Marie Peterson March 1, 1930 - April 14, 2010

Joan Marie Peterson peacefully passed away from Alzheimer's disease on April 14, 2010 in Harrisburg, Oregon.

She was born March 1, 1930 in Ogden, Utah to Merle Wiley McMillan and Jessie Elizabeth Smith McMillan. She grew up on a ranch in Hotchkiss, Colorado, and moved to Longview, Washington, at the age of 14.

Joan attended Washington State College, where she studied fine arts and home economics. She married her high school sweetheart, the love of her life, Lawrence Eugene Peterson, July 31, 1949. His career moved them across the United States, but they always wanted to return to the Northwest.

Upon returning to Portland, Joan became a Laubach and Oregon Literacy Tutor, reflecting a strong belief of hers to wipe out illiteracy. She was active in St. Andrew's Presbyterian church, serving as a deacon.

Joan enjoyed the camaraderie of belonging to a painting club along with hostessing family and friends to many fine meals. Activities Joan enjoyed pursuing were fishing, gardening, golfing and skiing.

After retirement, Joan and Larry built their dream home in Sisters, where they enjoyed exploring unique places in Central Oregon. Joan used these landscapes as inspiration as she pursued her love of watercolor painting. Joan took daily walks with their Airedale terrier companions through the woods surrounding their home.

Joan and Larry both served as volunteer forest fire lookouts for the Sisters Ranger District at Green Ridge. They also both served on the Sage Meadow Homeowners Association Board.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lawrence, who passed away August 7, 1999, a week after their 50th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Lee and Daniel Kromer of Oregon City and daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Lee and Robert Kinyon of Harrisburg. She is also survived by three grandsons, Wiley James Kinyon, Matthew Lars Kinyon and Christian Edward Kinyon, and one great-granddaughter, Brighton Bela Kinyon.

Joan will be forever in the hearts of those who loved her.

There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 12, at Steele Chapel, Longview Memorial Park, 5050 Mt. Solo Rd., Longview, Washington.