DOUGLAS,
Joan S.,
M.P.H., R.N.

Joan Douglas, age 88, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Spokane WA. on the 12th of April 2011
She is survived by her brother, George W. Schneider, Jr. M.D. and wife Shirley; five nieces, nephews and their spouses; 15 grand-nieces and nephews and eight great grand-nieces and nephews.
She was born in Albion, Mendocino County, California, March 23, 1923 to Carrie and George Willard Schneider. Her early life was spent on a fruit and dairy ranch in the Redwood country of Northern California where she developed passions for animal husbandry and equestrian activities.
Her early education began in a one room school in rural California, progressed to Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, followed by a Certificate of Public Health Nursing from the University of Oregon Medical School and culminated in a Master of Public Health in Administration and Nursing Supervision from the University of North Carolina.
Joan's 65 year nursing career included positions as a staff nurse in Marion County Oregon; Nursing Supervisor of Public Health, San Jose City Health Department; Consultant in Public Health, California State Dept. of Public Health; Director, Personal Health Services, Spokane Regional Health District, Assistant Professor Intercollegiate Center for Nursing, Spokane Washington and Arizona State University. In addition, she held many offices in local, regional and national professional nursing organizations and was granted life memberships in the Washington State Public Health Association and the American Public Health Association.
Her personal life was devoted to family and her beloved Arabian horses. This vibrant person will be missed by all who knew her.
Joan will be remembered for her outgoing, friendly and welcoming demeanor. She was a consummate learner, educator and community activist. Her wisdom and strong character gave her the ability to develop programs which enhanced the lives of people within the communities she served.
The Celebration of Joan's life will be at 11:00 A.M, Thursday April 28th, at the Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N Sullivan Rd..
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Providence Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), 611 N Perry St #2, Spokane WA (99202).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review from Apr. 20 to Apr. 21, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Douglas

12 Entries

Yvonne Grenier

April 13, 2024

Joan was such a wonderful mentor to me when I worked at SCHD.

April 25, 2011

Bud,Shirl,& family,
It is with great fondness for Joan that I grieve her passing. We were public health colleagues in Arizona and close friends for many years thereafter.

Joan and Carrie became a welcomed and loved part of our family when they moved to Arizona in 1980. They joined us for Holiday dinners, cooking and baking sessions in the kitchen, and exploring ideas from the latest Sunset magazine. Joan had a gift for extending herself to young people; she had many engaging conversations with my stepchildren about their school activities, interests, and future plans.

Joan enthusiastically shared stories of her family, her early days on the ranch in northern California, and her stately Arabian horses. She was passionate about her public health career. She was an inspiration and source of animated debate with her colleagues at Arizona State University College of Nursing and the Arizona Department of Health Service. Her exemplary contributions to the long term care and local health programs of the state health department were acknowledged one year when she received the annual Arizona Public Health Association Honor Award.

Joan was very proud of being a public health alumnae from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. I was fortunate in sharing with her the bond of being a fellow alumnae from there. We talked for hours about our experiences there, even though they were separated by 25 years.

Joan was insightful, magnanimous, and cordial. She had a sense of humor that brought perspective to many challenging situations. She gave generously of her time and energy to her friends. Once Joan moved back to Spokane twenty years ago, I sent her yearly subscriptions to Arizona Highways; she sent me (upon Carrie’s request) Sunset magazine. Her interest in Arizona, and the people she loved here, continued throughout the rest of her life.

My sincere sympathy and love to you,
Jane Lange, RN, MPH
Arizona

Sheila Masteller

April 23, 2011

Dear George, Shirley and family,
I am so sorry for your loss of Joan - as you know she loved her family first and foremost. I was so fortunate to have known her and learned from her for the past 30 years. She hired me for my first community health nursing job at the health department - and from then on was always a wise, kind, astute, gracious mentor and friend. Her support to me personally and professionally has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. She was my role model for serving others, collaborating and adovocating for all. She shared her time, talent and treasure so generously and wisely through her involvement in so many organizations. I am particularly grateful for her legacy of service and impact on Providence VNA Home Health - she inspired us all to do our best - quality, compassionate, innovative care and service to the community. And, I so appreciated her care and concern for my family.
My sympathy to each of you at this difficult time,

LoAnn Bell

April 22, 2011

Joan was a loyal friend to me and my family. I first met Joan and her mother Carrie in 1980. We worked together at ASU College of Nursing. Throughout the years, we golfed, we discussed growing old and healthy gracefully, we were advocates for a peaceful world, and we shared our travel experiences. I will miss hearing about the upcoming Barcelona cruise and her adventures with the digital camera. In her honor today, Edwin and I did play a round of golf at the Par 3 Tempe Rolling Hills course and I did bake her favorite lemon bars (Carrie would make ). I called her friend Fria to let her know. Joan will be missed, an inspiration to all who met and knew her.
LoAnn Bell M.S. R.N.. recently retired from Maricopa County Department of Public Health working in the Tuberculosis/Refugee Program.

Gayle Kamps

April 21, 2011

Joan was a special lady! She married my Uncle Stine and I remember a few us snuck into their room at Chico at a family reunion and short-sheeted their bed!!!!
If we could all live a life like her, what a wonderful world it would be!
We'll miss seeing Joan at our family reunion at Red Lodge in July! She had already put in her reservation to come so now she will be there in spirit!
We love you, Joan.
Take care dear family!
Gayle Douglas Kamps and George

Patty Salter

April 21, 2011

George, Shirley, Janet, Debbie, Leanne and families-my deepest sympathy to all of you. The few times that I got to visit with Joan was fun. What a loss to all of you and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Douglas Griffith

April 20, 2011

Joan Douglas had special ties to me, not only through my uncle Stine Douglas, but through her special friendship with my wife, Ely, who was also in Public Health. I remember many dinners where we discussed health issues, cultural differences, family matters, gardening and every time her clear thinking and understanding made us love being with her. She was a model for us all and we are grateful for having known her. My condolences all her friends and family members who, like me, will miss her greatly, yet, as always, she knew the right time.

Stephen Schneider

April 20, 2011

I am so sorry to hear of Joan's passing. Although I have never met Joan, as a Schneider family member and us sharing the same great grandparents in George G Schneider and Salome Haushalter, I have in essence been looking for Joan for years. It is my great sorrow that my efforts to connect with Joan did not come in her lifetime. For her surviving family members, my condolences are extended to you and I would love the opportunity to connect in the future to discuss our vibrant family history. Please contact me at 830-693-2314 or [email protected].

Yvonne Grenier

April 20, 2011

My heart goes out to Joan's family. She was my boss for many years at Spokane Regional Health. She had such vision & led us all to our potential. She is going to be greatly missed.

Diane Hall

April 20, 2011

I was so shocked and very sad to hear of Joan's passing. My condolences to the family of this wonderful woman who had a warm, caring heart and joyful spirit.

April 20, 2011

I have fond memories of Joan from our days at Spokane VNA. She was a wonderful lady. My condolences to Dr Schneider and Shirley.
Matt Luebbers - Redmond WA

Ida Ovnicek

April 19, 2011

I am so sorry for this loss. I have enjoyed Joan so much, admired her and her commitment to our community. God Bless.

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