Joan Gunn

Joan Elaine Gunn

1926 - 2011

Joan Elaine Hermann Gunn passed away on May 9, 2011. She was born in Orange, New Jersey May 26, 1926. She is survived by her husband John; daughters, Laura Gunn Catterton (Allen), Victoria Gunn S Street (Audie) and Rebecca Gunn; son Bruce Gunn (Luz); grandchildren, Alex Dunlop, Casey Street, Lukas Street, Lindsay Street and Alan Gunn; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Brown.

Preceding her in death were her mother, Jessie Granger; father, William Hermann; and brother Bruce Granger.

After graduating from Millburn (NJ) High School, she joined the staff of the American Red Cross, serving also as a volunteer Red Cross Grey Lady and motor pool driver. She joined the Marine Corps in 1953, went through boot camp in Parris Island and served at duty stations in Memphis, TN, Jacksonville, FL and Cherry Point, NC, there she met John, a Marine Lieutenant and the rest is history. They raised four children - four of God's finest. They lived in Monmouth, IL, Wilmington, NC, Richmond, VA, and Costa Mesa, CA. She attended Wilmington College, Virginia Commonwealth University and graduated from Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa, CA).

In 1972 she gave her life to Christ at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA and has walked with Him ever since. Loving to travel, she visited her daughters stationed in Guam, Spain and Kenya.

She and John moved to Gulf Breeze in June 1995 where she served as a volunteer Red Cross Disaster worker during hurricanes and she also started a clown ministry. "Pixie from Dixie," the clown, traveled to Eastern Europe in 1996 to minister and clown.

An avid runner, she ran in more than 200 5K races in California and the Florida Panhandle and even completed a half-marathon in California.

Always a nature lover, she served two terms of the Gulf Breeze Park Board.

She always found time for gardening, feeding birds, painting, singing in the Calvary Chapel Choir, bike riding, and going to the gym.

Memorial services were held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 2:00 PM. An inurnment will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery at a later date.

The family requests that donations be made to Calvary Chapel of Gulf Breeze.

Arrangements entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.roselawn-fh.com



Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits