Joan L. Engel

Joan Engel Obituary

ENGEL, Joan L.

Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on December 9, 2006, at age 69. Joan was born March 20, 1937, in Alhambra, Calif. She lived a life full of music. She attended Occidental College and majored in history and music. She studied the organ with Clarence Mader and played Occidental's four manual pipe organ, in addition to enjoying the opportunity to play organs in churches throughout the U.S. and Europe. She was a church organist for almost 50 years. She married Thomas P. Engel on November 15, 1958. They moved to Sacramento in 1963. Joan has two children, Jennifer Davidson (married to Leon Davidson) and Jeff Engel (married to Tracie). She has four grandchildren, Christopher, Joshua, Matthew, and Hannah, who loved their grandmother. She was a real estate sales agent with Cook Realty, Sacramento, attaining "Life Masters" status with the Sacramento Association of Realtors.

Before beginning her successful real estate career, she developed a large travel business specializing in church group tours to Israel, Egypt and Europe. Joan personally led groups to Israel and Egypt more than a dozen times. Joan traveled extensively with her husband Tom. Together they toured and visited the United States, Canada, many European countries, Chile, Costa Rica, Australia, Japan, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and other delightful countries. She loved touring and organizing trips and believed that if you did not have a good time traveling it was your own fault.

Joan was very active in her church. She loved music, concerts, art, fine restaurants, and good homecooked food. She enjoyed wine and had a good wine collection. She loved being with friends. But most of all Joan loved her family, family gatherings and talking to her four grandchildren.

Donations may be made to Parkside Community Church Building Fund, 5700 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822, or a charity of your choice. Service at Lutheran Church of the Master, 1900 Potrero Way, Sacramento, on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2:00 PM.

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

Published by The Sacramento Bee from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Engel

7 Entries

Margaret A. Bitzer Serenity

January 25, 2007

I first met Joanie at Christ Unity on L Street about 1980. We continued our association and friendship through my attendance there, my participation in several trips abroad and my subsequent relocation to Georgia and entrance into ordained Unity ministry.
She neverfailingly uplifted my spirits with her music and got me to my intended destinations on time! We exchanged countless phone chats and many hugs.
I will forever remember her advice to pack warmly for "the cold desert nights" and "to be flexible"!!
Joan will live always in my Unity memories.
My most sincere condolences to all those she held dear.

Esther Loveridge

December 15, 2006

During the time we attended Christ Unity Church, Joan was the organist and subsequently the music director. She always sat so tall on the bench and played with such grace. She was very faithful and her passing seems so premature. Our condolences to her loved ones.

Janey John

December 14, 2006

I loved Joan ... we spent a great deal of time working together on her home. We shared many things but most of all we shared a very close friendship. You will be terribly missed Joan, but I will hold you close in my heart always.
My deep sympathy for all of her loved ones.. she leaves behind.

Jo Mayes

December 14, 2006

Joan was the official real estate agent of the Mayes family and she never let us down. She was delightful to work with and we embraced her and Tom into our family. We're very sorry to hear of her passing and grateful for the time we spent with her.

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Joyce Summers

December 14, 2006

I knew Joan at Christ Unity Church where she was the music director. Her organ playing always touched our hearts. I'll always remember the Hawaiian trip she planned for our Unity Group. Joan made it magic. I will miss her spontaneous joy.

Joe Concannon

December 13, 2006

I was privileged to meet Joan while making wine with Tom for several
harvests. I will always admire her tremendous energy and remember her dropping by some snacks she made for us, talking about the latest trip she was planning, while running off to show a house. She handled all with obvious grace.

Anne C

December 13, 2006

I had the pleasure of working with Joan on some of her real estate transactions. When she walked into my office she was always smiling even if it was a difficult deal, her personality would just light up the room. She will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

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