Joan Mae Houghton

Joan Mae Houghton
Joan Heaney fell in love with the lifeguard Sherrill Houghton at Boyes Hot Springs at 17. He was her date for Senior Prom at the Star of the Sea Academy. They married in 1950 and were devoted to each other for 70 years.
Joan at 95 shared that her secret for living so long was that she strove to be happy every day. She was a great conversationalist and diligent listener who taught us to always be interested in the people we were with and to care about what they wanted to share.
Joan was a 3rd generation San Franciscan who grew up in the Richmond District to parents Gertrude and Emmett and was the eldest of five siblings: Ann (Smyth), Geraldine (La Plante), Edward, Robert Heaney. She was fiercely proud of her extended family. She loved going to the movies at the Coliseum and milkshakes after with friends. She told us of skipping out of high school to see Frank Sinatra and that it was well worth it. After high school she worked as a dental hygienist.
Just as her husband Sherrill and she were starting their life together, he was drafted into the army and stationed in Heidelburg, Germany. Joan joined him where they lived in a walkup apartment, working as a typist on base. This adventure was a whirlwind experience of travel, a host of newlywed memories and life-long friendships.
They raised five independent 4th generation San Franciscans in the Westlake area of Daly City: Scott (Kay), Jim (Joyce), Lynne (Joanne Giono) Houghton; Sue (Joe) Devine; Trish (Darren) Line. Joan and Sherrill taught their children to work hard, and that the family depended on everyone doing their part. Joan leveraged her experience to later become a pre-school teacher and earned her AA degree in early education and became known as Miss Joan from that day forward to a generation of toddlers.
They hosted many family gatherings and supported school activities and vacation experiences with cousins. She was a matriarch and loving aunt to: Monica (Peter) Clark; Tim (Elvia), Dennis, Matt (Kathleen), and Al Smyth; Denise Heaney (Jesse) and Linda Lopache and fondly established the "Cousins Party" with her sister Ann.
She enjoyed retirement in the Windsor area, traveling, staying in Palm Springs and visiting with family in New York. They loved live theater and celebrating the many accomplishments of their family. Joan especially loved being Nana to her ten grandchildren: Sara, Conor, Brian Houghton; Joey, Ryan, Brendan Devine; Henry, Lily Houghton; Hannah, Shea Line and was proud of them and appreciated the moments shared to encourage their interests in life with positivity and an open heart.
Joan lost her husband in January 2021 and persevered being on her own with the support of family and caregivers Seini, Elizabeth and Kendra who came to know her beautiful spirit. Joan died on March 20, 2025, with family by her side. She will never be forgotten as her family will continue her legacy of love and kindness, attention to family and interest in others.
Her life and that of her husband Sherrill, will be honored on Saturday, April 26, at 11:00am at Daniels Chapel of the Roses in Santa Rosa. A reception will follow at Charlie's at the Windsor Golf Course. Instead of flowers, we invite you to contribute to the Signature Theatre NYC or St John's Parish in Healdsburg.