JOANNE CALLAN Obituary

Joanne Elizabeth Callan
Dec. 23, 1936 - Jan. 13, 2020

SOLANA BEACH, CA
Dr. Joanne Callan died peacefully at home in Solana Beach, CA Monday, Jan. 13 of complications from breast cancer. She was born in Fort Smith, AR to Hubbert & Virginia Burkes. She graduated Salutatorian from Altus, OK High School in 1954 and earned a BA in classic literature from The University of Oklahoma in 1958, where she was a member of Mortar Board and the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Joanne earned her PhD in psychology at the University of Texas, Austin, and then married her high school sweetheart, James Callan, in 1968. Together, they moved to Oklahoma City in 1970 following his completion of active duty in the Navy. Joanne was on the faculty of the OU Health Sciences Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, until she and her husband moved to San Diego in 1976 with their daughter.
Joanne trained and taught at San Diego Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and served a term as President. She joined the faculty of the California School of Professional Psychology in 1976 as Dean and Provost and became a Distinguished Professor in the PhD and PsyD programs after CSPP became part of Alliant University.
She was the founding Executive Director of the American Psychological Association's Education Directorate in Washington, DC. There, she advocated for advanced education in clinical psychology and worked with Congress to improve the quality of and access to mental health care. Joanne also served as Associate Clinical Professor at the UCSD School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry.
Joanne was on the Board of Directors of the YWCA of San Diego County, the Board of Trustees of The Bishop's School, the Board of Directors at the Hanna Fenichel Center for Child Development, and the Alliant University Board of Trustees.
She loved animals, especially dogs and horses, and managed a family business breeding Arabian and Half-Arabian horses. She was joyful and generous and known for her positivity and boundless energy. She cared deeply about the people around her, believing that we are here to help one another.
Joanne was a lifelong Episcopalian and is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Megan; and sister, Terri Sullivan, of Camden, AR. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory be made either to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Altus, or the scholarship fund of the University of Oklahoma Department of Arts and Sciences.

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

Published by Oklahoman on Jan. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for JOANNE CALLAN

9 Entries

Joyce Leppert Turner

January 27, 2020

To see her is to see her legacy. From Hanna F. Where my son went to school, to Bishops where my siblings and I went. To her family who even when we don't talk for years, pick up right where we left off. She directed that through her heart and her work. She touched so many directly and indirectly. She will be missed. My heart hurts for Megan and Jim. But i know she is in a better place with no more pain. We will see her again. All my love,

Christina Gietzen-Haraden

January 27, 2020

Dr. Callan was one of my dissertation committee members. Her input was invaluable. What an amazing woman and trailblazer in so many ways, but I'm especially appreciative of what she did to spearhead the advancement of education for clinical psychologists. No doubt I have benefited directly in countless ways from her advocacy in the field. What an inspiration. Our paths overlapped at Bishops, St. Peter's and CSPP. Sorry to Callan family for your loss. She will be missed.

Lisa Schimmel, PhD

January 24, 2020

When I think of Dr. Callan, I smile. I think of how she sparkled and her wonderful sense of humor. I knew her from CSPP back when it was on Brown Deer Road. She would say things like, "_____ is about as easy as pinnin' Jello to a tree," when describing something impossible or irrational. I also remember sharing my Dr. Pepper with her which seemed to be one way to her heart! :) She was a love and I am so sad to hear she is gone. I wish the family ease in moving through her loss.

January 23, 2020

Joanne Callan was a legend among the many students of her UT Austin mentor, Professor Earl Koile. We last greeted each other with huge hugs at his home in Austin, TX at an event celebrating his life.

Joanne was such a force of positive energy and goodness in the world. It is hard to believe that she has passed.
Lucia Albino Gilbert San Jose, California

David DiCicco

January 23, 2020

Joanne helped many people. She was a gift to the San Diego community, and she will be missed.

M. Lebovits

January 23, 2020

It is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I read this news. Dr. Callan played a role in my life for decades, at times quietly and peripherally, and at times actively and directly.

I first learned of Dr. Callan while a student at the Bishop's School. Having my share of challenging teenage times, I knew she was there as a support to students and guide to the counseling staff. As my interest in clinical psychology grew, learning that she was on the faculty of CSPP gave me encouragement to pursue the program and my career. Early in my graduate education I leapt at the opportunity to take her Psychodynamic Psychotherapy course and connect more closely to her--- I'm grateful to say to this very day, I recall much of what she spoke. As my studies progressed, I requested that she sit on my dissertation committeea request to which she graciously obliged. Through that grueling and at times seemingly endless process, she remained a gentle yet steady support. And as she sat with pride as I successfully defended and launched my career as a clinician, I was so deeply honored to share those moments with someone who had for so long been a player in the story of my life.

I will remember Dr. Callan as exuding a calm and kindness in our interactions, communicating with a consistent warmth and wisdom and in a way that created moments that have endured the test of time. My greatest regret is that I missed the opportunity to reach out and thank her for the influence she has had on me, and my promise to her legacy is that I will continue to carry the knowledge she imparted and the way of being she exemplified as I go forth in my career and in my life.

May her memory be a source of strength, inspiration and blessing.

Alissa Maitino

January 23, 2020

Such a kind and beautiful soul. I always felt so comfortable in her presence ... there was something about her. She was also (obviously) incredibly intelligent and talented. I loved having her as a professor during my Ph.D. program. She was one of a kind, and will be missed so very much. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

January 20, 2020

Joanne was truly an inspiration . Her memory continues to inspire me, and, no doubt, others. I miss her.

January 20, 2020

Her laugh, smile, quotes, wisdom, kindness, and her consistency. She changed my life. There are very few people on this earth as special as she was.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results