Joni Marie Welzenbach

1959 - 2023

July 17, 1959 - June 10, 2023 Our beautiful, strong and smart mom, left us to join our grandpa on the other side. Mom had a strong heart, and her body did not want to let go, but it was her time. Mom was a creature of habit. She had lived in the same city of Riverside, CA since 1985 and would probably still live in our same childhood home if it was up to her. She worked at her job for around 30 years, starting as a School Bus Driver in Riverside County and moving up to Dispatcher. She knew her job and those routes like the back of her hand and made so many amazing friends there. Mom and Robert enjoyed their life together and spent many years laughing and making memories. Her pride and joy were us two daughters (and her Camaro), and she would love to tell all her co-workers about the amazing things we were doing in life. Mom was the best growing up; we always had home-cooked meals; we very rarely ate out; she was on the PTA and had us involved in so many after-school activities. Our childhood memories are filled with the joy of our times with Mom. Mom leaves behind a family that will miss her laughter and how she would bring joy to a room. You would always know when Joni was there. Her mother, Judy Welzenbach; her sister, Sue (Mike) Board; her brother, Mike Welzenbach & her brother Mark (Erin) Welzenbach. She shared her life with Robert Plaza for 23 years; we all wish she had met him ten years earlier. Lastly, her two daughters, Sharrin (Travis) Fuller and Tami (Lior) Peled. Mom has three beautiful granddaughters from Tami and Lior- Ella, Libi and Mila. Mom also has three nieces and four nephews. Waiting for her to arrive on the other side was her dad, Fred Welzenbach, and her sister-in-law Cindy Welzenbach along with her four cats. Grandpa and Cindy were some of her favorite people, so knowing she is with them again is comforting. Trying to figure out how to live without Mom is the new struggle we all must face, but we know she is standing by our sides, trying to guide us through it. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 8, 2023, at 5 pm at the Hampton Inn at 4250 Riverwalk, Riverside, CA 92505.