Joan Olson NEEDHAM

NEEDHAM, Joan Olson
Joan was born May 6, 1927 in Inglewood, CA. and passed with quiet grace July 5, 2011 at the age of 84, at home with family by her side. Cherished wife of Harold (Hal) Needham for 64 years, first meeting at a dance in high school. She was a graduate of McClatchy High School class of 1945. She will live forever in the heart's of daughters Bonnie Cruickshank, Sherri Needham, Patti Pitts and son Kent Needham and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and spouses and 7 great-grandchildren. Residing in Sacramento, North Highlands and 33 years in El Dorado Hills before moving to Rocklin. After retiring from Ellis and Bowen Insurance in Folsom their favorite travel destination was Hawaii - 16 times to be exact! She was a fastidious record keeper, everything had a file. She loved music and theater, volunteering with tireless devotion to the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society for 32 years. She supported Harold in his second career, music, with The Black Tuesday Jazz Band, and attended the Music Circus for 60 years. To her children, and especially her grandchildren, she was a major influence, proud of all their accomplishments, always present for musical performances, graduations and birthdays and being a great-grandmother brought her great joy. She stayed connected with family and friends by e-mail and Facebook, and remembrances can be posted on her 'wall.' Joan wishes her legacy to be about volunteering and her memory can be honored by 'paying it forward.' At her request, no services. Remembrances in Joan's name can be sent to: STJS Youth Jazz Camp, C/O Bill Dendle, P.O. Box 13744, Sacramento, CA. 95853 (payable to STJS) or Susan G. Komen for the Cure. P.O. Box 1390, Dixon, CA. 95620/ www.komansacramento.org