Joan H. "Grandma Joan" Edmonds
Joan H. "Grandma Joan" Edmonds
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Joan Edmonds Obituary
Joan pursued her higher education at the University of Hong Kong, majoring in European History, followed by a Master's in Social Work from the University of Washington. Her professional life was marked by significant accomplishments, including her role as a school principal in Hong Kong that positively affected thousands of students' lives. In the US, her career as a Social Worker and Case Manager at the City of Seattle in the Aging & Disability Services earned her the honor of Maximum Achievement Award in 1992 and again in 1997 by the Department of Housing and Human Services.
Joan's Catholic faith was vibrant and central to her life. She was a parishioner and active volunteer at St. Louise Catholic Church and has always advocated for those who are less fortunate by dedicating her time at St. Vincent de Paul. In her free time, Joan enjoyed playing Mahjong with her friends and was in a book club to continue her lifelong learning. She cherished family gatherings for dim sum and loved traveling and exploring new places with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by four generations of family, including her siblings Mariam, Oscar, Hedy (Kwok Tai), Mimoona, Suzanne (Michael), daughters Millie (Jeff) and Cora (Phil), son Derek (Juiling), grandchildren Angelique, Cody (Andrea), Emily, Simon, Anna, Karina (Matt), Dima, Valeria, Jason, Amber, and her great-granddaughter Atlas, along with many nieces and nephews worldwide.
A funeral mass in Joan's honor will take place on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 10:30am at St. Louise Catholic Church in Bellevue, WA, followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Reception from 11:30am – 1pm at the church. Burial arrangements are being handled by Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Louise/St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in honor of Joan Edmonds. HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/SVDP-JOAN-EDMONDS Joan's life and legacy of service and dedication will be remembered by all who knew her.
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Suzanne Adem Cheng
July 18, 2024
In her own quiet, devoid of fanfare, seemingly simple and innocent ways, Joan had led a full and giving life which is why so many of her family, friends and strangers whom she has helped will miss her. I applaud and admire her for following her passions in life although she herself thinks she´s boring:
1. In her chosen religion against the immense pressures of family and community she grew up in.
2. In being truly an educator and learner, not only in her profession but also after retirement to tutor grandchildren, children of friends, or even acquaintances.
3. In her dedication as a social worker and after retirement to work tirelessly at St. Vincent de Paul.
We all know what a generous and loving person Joan was. On a personal level, I am thankful that I share a close bond with my sister through which we confided and supported one another in our life´s ups and downs. I thank my parents for giving me the most precious gift, my siblings.
I WILL MISS MY SISTER SO TERRIBLY!!!
Monica Ip
July 17, 2024
Delia School song: In school, at home, in days to come, we learn, we play in a wiser way.
Thank you dear Joan. Thanks for your teaching.
Monica Ip
Shu-i Wang
July 15, 2024
I knew Joan as the kind and lovely mother of Millie. She always made us feel welcome at her house. I appreciated her speaking to us as equals, and all those yummy meals she cooked for us. The world lost a beautiful soul but I will always remember and miss her.
Ellen McCown
July 15, 2024
Such dear photos and beautiful obituary of your beloved. Our deepest condolences. Wishing gentleness and comfort to family through this tender time. Ellen and Rodney
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Oscar Adem
July 12, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 12, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 12, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 12, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 12, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 11, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 11, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 11, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 11, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 11, 2024
Oscar Adem
July 11, 2024
With deepest sympathy and may she rest in peace.
Oscar & family
Hedy & family
serena cheng
July 10, 2024
serena cheng
July 10, 2024
serena cheng
July 10, 2024
serena cheng
July 10, 2024
my auntie joan is a pure and kind spirit. i hold fond memories of her always having a smile on her face, laughing during special little moments, and playing mahjong with her and my mom (which i never won because i am a novice!). most of all, i remember auntie joan's generosity. she welcomed my family into her home and placed the interests of family and friends ahead of herself.
on the day auntie joan passed, i let go pure white flowers into the beautiful lake at which i was camping. the flowers floated peacefully, simply being carried by the water. i can feel auntie joan is at peace and being carried by everyone who loves her.
Kelly Richards
July 10, 2024
Oh how I´m going to miss one of my best friends ever. Joan and I were work colleagues at Aging & Disability Services. I´ve know and worked with her since 1989. She was tenacious, caring and selfless with our clients. She loved being our go to person for some of the difficult and hard to understand state paperwork. She loved teaching what she knew to students that worked with her, to colleagues that were new and anywhere else she as needed. However, above all, she loved serving clients; older adults in the community who needed some sort of assistance. She was known to bring a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner a time or two to a few clients that had no family, had little money and those who not always easy to work with. She wasn´t phased by somebody being difficult or a person who might be ungrateful.
Joan and I had remained friends all these years later. We had marathon lunches where we would meet at 11:45 and not leave a restaurant until 4. Nearly time for dinner for some. We would talk about everything under the sun, even tried to solve world problems a time or two. I feel like I have gotten to know her family, from siblings, to her children and her grandchildren, of whom she was so proud. She would keep me posted on tutoring sessions, their school, travels and sports etc. I loved hearing about all the places she would go with her family, be it a cruise or a place where they would immerse themselves in the local history and then test each other to see who remembered what they learned, an intellectual competition of sort.
Joan was unique, compassionate, giving and selfless. She will be missed not only by me but all the lives she touched across her life´s journey. Rest in peace my dear friend....I hope you join the Angel´s choir in heaven so I can hear you singing in my dreams.
xxx ooo
Love,
Kelly Richards
Suwannee Duffin
July 10, 2024
I met Joan through Millie. I´m her facial lady. We became a good friend and I looked forward to seeing her every month. Joan has a good sense of humor and unique. She is very kind and generous. The stories we shared and every moment we laughed I will always remember.
May you rest in peace Joan. You will be in my heart forever. I miss you
Suwannee Duffin
July 10, 2024
I met Joan through Millie. I´m her facial lady. We became a good friend and I looked forward to seeing her every month. Joan has a good sense of humor and unique. She is very kind and generous. The stories we shared and every moment we laughed I will always remember.
May you rest in peace Joan. You will be in my heart forever. I miss you
Grandma Margaret
July 10, 2024
watching u so happy with grandchildren .. u will be missed by us all. . i am making a donation in your name from Grandma Margaret
and my family to the Namaste Children´s Fund , which i know u loved too Blessings and Peace to u and your family
Ofelia Sanchez
July 10, 2024
Joan Edmonds was a beautiful unique soul and I feel very fortunate to have met her in this life. She was one of the very first people that I met when I started working at St. Louise front desk. She made sure to make me feel welcomed and a part of the St. Vincent DePaul family since day one. Her cheerfulness, kindness, her bright smile, and dedication to help others will be forever cherished.
My favorite memory of Joan will always be her advice, and good sense of humor. She will always lectured me for " wasting too much paper" when printing the lists of " neighbors" for St. Vincent DePaul when she all needed was TWO copies.
Rest in Peace Joan. forever in my heart and my prayers.
Margaret Taylor
July 10, 2024
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Monica Ip
July 10, 2024
Dear Joan, thank you for your kindness and hard work to be our principal in school. Thank you for your generosity. I had an opportunity to join the Legion of Mary in school and began my religious life. After graduation, I kept my vocation in Church.
I still remember we played mahjong when you were in Hong Kong. Thank you for treating your students as dearly friends.
May you rest in peace and embrace in God's love.
Monica Ip
Lauren Davis
July 9, 2024
Joan´s legacy lives in through her vibrant family. Sending you all love and condolences. - Lauren Davis
Frank Pease
July 9, 2024
I met Joan at a coffee and donuts social at our church. Joan told me that day of her involvement with the St. Vincent de Paul ministry at our parish (St. Louise de Marillac, Bellevue, WA). Later, Tu and I noticed Joan sat behind us at the 9 a.m. Mass service on Sundays. We looked forward to Joan's warm and welcome greeting at the "Sign of Peace" offering. Then, after rejoining the SVdP ministry myself, I learned of Joan's key role in setting up the "intake" process for serving our SVdP "neighbors". So, Joan's footprints are all over our spiritual village. We Vincentians will continue to follow Joan's path in the days to come in memory of our sister's work at the parish.
Frank Pease, Acting President, St. Louise SVdP Conference
Norene Torgerson
July 9, 2024
I was lucky enough to be Joan´a next-door neighbor for many years. She was so generous and kind and always ready to help in any situation. I will miss her smile and our conversations immensely.
Norene Torgerson
Dara Yeh
July 9, 2024
I first met Joan as the very welcoming mother Millie, my closest college friend. Knowing I did not have family at school, Joan invited me to her home and to many family gatherings to give me a sense of place outside of campus. Later, when Joan herself entered University of Washington to continue her education, it was a delight for me to share class notes with her as a way of giving back for all the kindness she had shown me. I am inspired by all Joan accomplished in her lifetime in the spirit of the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. No doubt she will be greeted by many as she is welcomed to heaven!!
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