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Joan Bison Obituary
January 10, 1946 - April 22, 2023
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Mentor
A private memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park for Joan Maguire Bison who passed April 22 in Bakersfield after a valiant fight against ovarian cancer. She was 77.
Joan was the youngest of two children born in Bakersfield to J.P. Jack and Lois Maguire. She was a graduate of Garces Memorial High School, and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Jose State University. Since a young age, Joan was a kindred spirit with animals, especially horses. While at SJSU she could be found volunteering at the San Jose Zoo or riding horseback. She returned to Bakersfield and completed her undergraduate work at Cal State Bakersfield.
Joan's beautiful smile was infectious. Her sweet, one of a kind personality endeared her to many. Whether she knew you for years or just met you, she made everyone feel special and was generous with her time and knowledge. Besides her family, her other great passion was horses. Her awards, buckles, first-place trophies, and championship titles were a testament to how great she was at something she loved.
While Joan continued to show horses, she also trained, mentored, and taught other horse enthusiasts. More than just a mentor, she became friends and extended family with those who shared her passion.
Joan's vibrant presence will be greatly missed by her son John and daughter-in-law Chelsea, her grandchildren Jameson and Maguire Bison, her circle of friends, and fellow equestrians. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Pat, and her husband Charley Lortz.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 13. For more information please contact John Bison.
www.bakersfield.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Bison
3 Entries
Mike Stricker
May 8, 2023
Condolences to Joans family and my Joan RIP
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The Flanagan´s
May 7, 2023
John, we are sorry for your loss, you and your family are in our prayers. Joan was quite the Lady!
Rachel Legan
May 7, 2023
John and Chelsea,
Thinking of you and your kids today. Your mom was one of a kind. So sorry for your loss!
Love and hugs,
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