Joan Hirst Baker's Obituary
Joan Hirst Baker
August 24, 1924 -- April 21, 2014
Joan Baker, age 89, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness. She was born in San Diego, California and grew up with her sister Ruth near the Pacific Ocean. She enjoyed watching the ships in the harbor, wild flowers, singing, tennis and other outdoor activities.
After graduating from San Diego High School, she attended San Diego State College and following the end of WW II moved to Berkeley, California where she met Warren Gonnason, her first husband. Raising four children and moving numerous times around the Bay Area the family finally ended up settling in Bellevue, Washington. Volunteer work, singing in the church choir, children's activities, including being a Girl Scout Leader, and gardening kept her very busy. She also enjoyed cooking and was a wonderful cook.
After a divorce she went back to college in Seattle, working in various positions in the hospitality industry, and then moved back to San Diego, California where she met and married Jim Dahlmann. They enjoyed years together traveling to Baja and other parts of Mexico in the winters and seeing family and friends during the summers. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, visiting the ocean with her daughters every year, singing in the choir, gardening, and had a beautiful hand at arranging flowers.
As Jim's health worsened, they moved to Lebanon, Oregon to be closer to family and have a home that Joan could manage on her own. Jim passed away while they were on a trip to Sedona, Arizona to visit his daughter.
Joan was active in Lebanon's First Presbyterian Church, where she met John Baker, a fellow deacon. They married and enjoyed trips to visit family, a cruise to Mexico, and good times entertaining friends and working in the garden.
Health concerns required a move to assisted living facilities in Albany, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, where Joan and John shared a more quiet life. As personal needs increased, Joan moved to Tumwater, Washington where she got the special care she needed.
Joan is survived by her sister Ruth Aroyan, Bolinas, California; daughters Durlyn Finnie, Allyn, Washington; Meryl Conner, North Bend, Washington; and son Kim Gonnason, Seattle, Washington. Other relatives include Granddaughter Christa Nash-Webber, Hong Kong and Grandson Brad Conner, Sammamish, Washington along with four great grandchildren. Daughter Laurie Marshall and all of Joan’s three husbands preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 5th at Mountain View Funeral Home in the Garden Chapel with reception following in the Oak Room of the Life Celebration Center on the grounds. Mountain View Funeral Home is located in Lakewood, Washington.
The family suggests donations to Alzheimer's research and nature preservation organizations to honor Joan’s memory.
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