Joan Wallace

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2004, in the Chico State University Shurmer Gymnasium at 1 p.m. for Phoebe Joan Wallace, 73, of Magalia, California, who passed away on September 8, 2004, following a lengthy struggle with lung cancer. Joan was born in Nashua, New Hampshire to Maynard and Phoebe Wallace on September 25, 1930. Early on, the family moved to Stratford, Connecticut where she attended public school, graduating from Stratford High School in 1948. Her college degrees were a BS from Arnold College (Conn.) in 1953 and an MA from Oregon State University (1961). Joan's professional career entailed 36 years as a dedicated teacher and coach. Providing opportunities for student athletes to "enjoy" while learning was her purpose. "Coach" was loved and highly respected by those who were fortunate enough to know her. She taught and coached at Johnson Junior High (Stratford); Las Plumas High, Oroville, California. (1961); Chico State University (1962-1989). During her tenure at Chico State, Joan was a teacher in the Physical Education Department; a coach of softball and field hockey in Athletics; and an administrator (Women's Athletic Director). Joan's athletic ability was exemplified by her many years of participation in major level women's softball, with the Raybestos Brakettes of Connecticut. Three of the Raybestos teams on which she played were ASA national champions: 1958-59-60. Later on, Joan shared her knowledge and love of softball as the head coach at Chico State for 25 or more years, and as the coach of the community women's softball team‹the beloved Chico Peppers‹beginning in 1967. During her career as Chico State's softball coach, the teams had winning records nearly every year. The highlight of her successful coaching was the AIAW Div. III National Championship which the 1980 team won in Michigan. Joan was voted Conference Coach of the Year numerous times. Under Joan's guidance beginning 1967, the Peppers won many league and divisional titles and out-of-state invitational tournaments. In 1988 the Chico Peppers began participating on the Masters Level, again winning several honors including national titles in 1993 and 1994, a Silver Medal at the World Masters Games in Australia (1994), and a Gold Medal at the World Masters Games in Portland (1998). Wanting to continue Joan's legacy, the Peppers are planning to attend the Masters Games in Edmonton (2005). Joan's second love in the sporting field was golf. She was an active member of the Bidwell Women's Golf Club and Paradise Pines Women's Golf Club and participated in the PWGA. Joan represented Bidwell at several team tournaments throughout Northern California. One example of her golfing skill is illustrated by the gold medals she won at the World Masters Games in Portland (1998). Members of both clubs thoroughly enjoyed playing and visiting with her. Because of her outstanding athletic career, Joan was awarded several honors including induction into: the Chico (city) Sports Hall of Fame‹1986; the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame‹1995; and the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame‹1996. Because Joan was a believer in promoting sporting opportunities for women, in 1992 she was given the Northern California National Girls and Women's Sports Day Title IX Pioneer Award. When she retired from Chico State in 1989, she was honored with the title "Professor Emerita." In addition to golf, her pleasures in life included trips to Reno and Tahoe, owning thoroughbred racehorses, traveling, and visiting and playing cards with her friends. Joan's survivors include her sister, Judith Sievers and husband Merlin of Waukesha, Wis.; her brother Maynard Wallace and wife Audrey of Juneau Beach, Fla.; four nephews and one niece: Bruce, Arthur, Gregory, James and Ann; and her many close friends. Memorial contributions may be made to: "UF ­ Joan Wallace Memorial Women's Softball Program Fund," c/o Chico State Athletics, Acker 135, Chico, CA 95929 ­ 300 (898-6470) or in care of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home. Joan's obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at nbcfh.com.