Joanna Tonkin

Joanna Regina Tonkin was born June 9, 1958 in Fortuna California to Adrian and Elisabeth Wantt. She passed away December 19, 2022, surrounded by her family, after a long hard fought battle with cancer. She was a proud member of the Round Valley Indian Tribe.

As a child the Wantt family resided in Eureka Ca. where Joanna attended Alice Birney Elementary School. At the age of 7 the family moved to the Hoopa Valley, where she attended Hoopa elementary and Hoopa High School, Graduating in 1976.

As a young girl Joanne enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, she loved to read, watch horror and sci-fi movies, especially during sleepovers with friends. She enjoyed Playing Barbie dolls with her sister Debbie, and was a member of the girl scouts. She also enjoyed spending her summers at the Trinity River with her sister, brothers, and friends, where you could find them swimming for most of the day.

During her High School years Joanna enjoyed being the statistician for the varsity Football and Boys Basketball teams, spending time with her friends, where on any summer weekend, you could find them at the Willow Creek drive-in theater, usually enjoying each other's company rather than watching the featured movie. After graduating High School Joanne went to work at Jordans grocery store in Hoopa, where she enjoyed working with good friends, and working the hole-in-the wall after hours. You could find Joanne cruising around town, back in the day in her red Mustang, either heading to work at Jordans store or somewhere in the community to hang out with friends.

It was during these young carefree nights at the drive-in where Joanne met the love of her life (and her best friend's brother) Pete Tonkin in 1977. They were married February 9, 1980. Joanne took quickly to being a wife, and soon a Mother with the birth of their first son Arthur in 1981, living for a brief time in Crescent City, where Pete was working she took to her role as a new Mom. Eventually settling down in Willow Creek, where the family would grow with the addition of their second son Anthony, born in 1984. Joanne was a doting mom giving all her love to raising her boys, supporting them, always there for school or sports activities, always rooting them on.

As the boys grew and started school Joanne would go back to work briefly at Chevron and Sears Catalog store, then Coast Central Credit Union at the Willow Creek Branch, where she enjoyed working with friends and serving the community for 18 years. It was during this time Pete began his Pool Cue business, Tonkin Custom Cues, building handmade pool cues. Thus followed the opening of P&J's Billiards in Willow Creek, where Joanne would join Pete and operate the bar, serving the community her amazing cocktails. Joanne enjoyed her time behind the bar, interacting with members of the community, young and old, her infectious laugh could always be heard no matter how noisy, and she could always be found rooting on her beloved Minnesota Vikings during football season. Once both of their sons were grown, Pete and Joanna enjoyed trips out to the coast, as well as traveling to New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

While Joanna was a doting and loving wife and mother, incredible friend, and awesome bartender; her greatest role may have been being a grandmother. She cherished spending time with her grandchildren, and they always adored spending time with their Nana Jo. When visiting with Joanne you couldn't leave the conversation without hearing all about her 'grandbabies' as she would refer to them, how fast they were growing and what was happening in their lives.

Joanne, you are missed, your passing has left a void in our lives, but in our hearts and memories you will always be loved & never forgotten. Joanna will always be remembered for her infectious laugh and personality, as well as always seeing the best in everyone.

Joanna is survived by her Husband of nearly 43 years, Pete Tonkin of Willow Creek. Sons: Arthur Tonkin of Willow Creek, and Anthony (Jonelle) Tonkin of Menifee Ca. Grandchildren: Brynn, Brenna, Brielle, Brea, and Bradlee Tonkin of Menifee Ca. Anthony Tonkin of Willow Creek. Brother Dieter Wantt of Birch Bay Wa. Sister, Debbie (Bob) Dickson of Willow Creek, and brother Adrian (Tina) Wantt Jr. of Salyer Ca. Father, Mother in-law, Art & Violet Tonkin of Willow Creek. Sister-in-law, Pam (Lester) Brown of Willow Creek. Brother-in-law, Gilbert (Darlene) Tonkin of Willow Creek. Aunts, Nada Stillwell of Alderpoint Ca. Nancy (Rodger) Brown of Willow Creek Ca. Carol Tonkin of Florida. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joanna is preceded in Death by her parents, Adrian and Elisabeth Wantt, her Grandparents, Albert and Rafella Wantt, Johann and Kreszentia Baumann.

We would like to thank the many friends throughout the community who have given us so much love and support.

A celebration of her life will be scheduled for later this summer.