Joan M. Welch's Obituary
Joan Marie Welch passed away at age 71 on May 26, 2018. Joan was born in Spokane, Washington on December 15, 1946. She graduated from the Washington school for the deaf before moving back with her family in Spanaway, WA. Joan was raised by her adoptive parents Herbert and Elsie Hawes with her brother Buddy in the Spokane and Spanaway areas. She went deaf at the age of 6 for reasons not fully known, but was determined to not let her disability hold her back. Joan began work in 1970 with the American Lake Veterans Hospital where she remained until she retired in 1997. Following her retirement she spent time working at various daycare's in the Tacoma area until 2008. Following her retirement she spent time crocheting caps for the homeless and children in the NICU. Joan also spent this time hand making cards for service members and their families to have free of charge to send one another while separated by tours of duty.
Aside from her community service works Joan was a mother first and foremost. Giving birth to her son Robert in October of 1978, all other activities took a back seat to her parenting. As a single mother Joan never missed a baseball, football or basketball game. She attended every band and choir concert and would frequently sit near the front to get the most vibrations possibly in order to feel the music, which she was unable to directly hear. Joan never missed a martial arts belt test for her son, and struggled to restrain herself from becoming involved and sparring with other students to protect her son. She enjoyed animals, her son, the Tacoma Rainier's, stamping and would be the first to arrive with pizza for a Wrestlemania party. Joan was constantly kind to others and enjoyed her time with friends and as part of the Deaf and Rubber Stampers clubs. She had many greeting and get well cards displayed at the Puyallup Fair over the years and will be missed in the stamping and deaf communities.
Joan is preceded in death by her father Herbert, mother Elsie and brother Buddy Hawes.
Joan is survived by her son Robert Welch, her dog Bret, and her grand-puppies Jazmine and Bo all of whom she loved very much. All of whom were in her bed providing love and support in her final moments.
Joan was a devout Christian and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Funeral service will be held Sunday, June 17, 2018 - 1:30PM at her home church Lighthouse Christian Center 3409 23rd St SW in Puyallup, WA. With a potluck to follow services. Viewing will take place at Mountain View Funeral Home & Memorial Park at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW in Lakewood, WA. From 10:00AM to 5:00PM on Saturday June 16th.
Robert would like to thank Lighthouse Christian Center, Community Christian Assembly, Mountain View Funeral Home, Tacoma General Hospice and Cardiac staff, Pulse Heart Institute, Dr. Chong Kim, and the friends and family of both Joan and Robert for their support before and during this difficult time.
Joan will long be remembered for her kindness, silliness and smile!
“Keep me in your heart for a while” – Waren Zevon
Please share your memories of Joan and condolences to the family by visiting the tribute wall.
What’s your fondest memory of Joan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joan?
Share a story where Joan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joan you’ll never forget.
How did Joan make you smile?