JOANNE V. HIRABAYASHI

Joanne V. Hirabayashi (1928-2010) A dedicated community activist, Joanne Hirabayashi (nee Vanderburg), worked tirelessly over the last twenty years for animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, extension education programs, and the environment with its flora and fauna, in order to promote and ensure the health and quality of her adopted community of the Bear Paw. Most recently, Joanne served as Chair of the Selkirk Conservation Alliance, an organization utilizing the best available science to support policy direction for a wide range of conservation initiatives. Joanne was born to Rose and Clarence Leo Vanderburg on July 28, 1928 in Seattle WA, where she and her older brother David spent their youth. She attended the University of Washington earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in Anthropology. Based on her research, she published an article on Chilkat weaving that has been cited by noted anthropologists. After graduation, Joanne married her college sweetheart, James Hirabayashi, and accompanied him to Japan for his Fulbright year. In 1958, after Jim finished his coursework at Harvard University, the family went to San Francisco with their two children. Facing housing discrimination in SF they moved north, intending to provide their children with a good education in the reputable school district in Mill Valley. Following a divorce in 1962, Joanne earned a second master's degree in Library Science from the University of California at Berkeley and returned to work as a junior high school librarian. Joanne dedicated herself to inspiring children with her love for reading. At the peak of her career, Joanne became the Coordinating Librarian for the Novato School District. During that period, she also served on the review committee of the prestigious Newberry Children's Book Award. Upon retiring in 1992, Joanne pursued her dedication to the environment and animals and moved from Mill Valley to 160 acres she called the Bear Paw, just outside Priest River, Idaho. There, in her custom-built home, she enjoyed her well-earned retirement and her love of reading and music. She gardened, walked through the woods with the dogs, and rode her horses. She created an ecologically sound, pleasant household for her family, friends, and local wildlife. Joanne's legacy lies in her work in promoting education and a love for books in her earlier years, and later added her love for the environment. Her personal legacy lives on in her two children, both of whom earned their Ph.Ds with her encouragement and support. Joanne was an independent and vital individual. Thankfully she enjoyed her beloved Bear Paw for many years, and lived vitally and meaningfully until she died on November 13, 2010. She is survived by her children, Lane and Jan; their respective spouses, Marilyn and Steve; her nephew and niece, Brian and Lori; her dogs; her horses; and, the countless friends whose lives she touched. They all bear a profound love and gratitude for this exceptional woman. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials in her name be made to Selkirk Conservation Alliance; PO Box 1809; Priest River, ID; 83856 or Priest River Animal Rescue; PO Box 1626; Priest River, ID, 83856.