Joann Marcus

1935 - 2025

Joann Heasley Marcus, age 90, of Lander Wyoming died October 22, 2025, in Salt Lake City, UT.

Ms. Marcus was the daughter of Ralph Edward and Jennie Marie (Johansen) Heasley of Shoshoni, WY. Ms. Marcus was born Jan 3, 1935, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She attended numerous grammar and secondary schools, from San Diego CA to Salem OR. Ms. Marcus received her GED certificate from the State of Wyoming in 1961. As an adult, she attended Shasta College, Redding, CA, but never completed her degree.

She married Philip Martin, Jr. in Tracy, Ca in 1951 – they were later divorced. In 1956 she wed Frank Marcus of Worland, WY and they were divorced in 1966.

Ms. Marcus was employed at several newspapers in Wyoming and California and at law enforcement agencies in both Wyoming and California. She hid from an early abusive relationship by concealing herself in a sea of blue uniforms. She retired from the Anderson Police Department, Anderson, CA in 1997 and returned to reside in Lander, Wyoming. In Lander she worked part-time at the University of Wyoming Outreach School, the Fremont County Public Library and served as an election judge for Fremont County.

She was proud of her membership in the Teamsters Union and served as shop steward for several years in California. She was a vehement member of the Democratic Party and had little use for organized religion. She was also a member of the ACLU.

She was an avid reader of American and European history, and current political events. She enjoyed watching the birds that flocked to her backyard feeders, feeding neighborhood cats and watching the deer.

Ms. Marcus is survived by her sons; William Marcus of Shoshoni, WY, Robert Marcus (Teresa) of Hudson, WY and a daughter, Carla Marcus Thomas (Jim) of Lander, WY; two sisters, June Romano of Orofino, ID and Sydney Lupton (Don) of Riverton, WY and a brother Jerry Heasley (Cathy) of N. Charleston, SC; five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Kathryn Guffey of Lander, WY, a nephew John Houghton of Redding, CA, many beloved cats, and her special friend Dick D. Jackman of Casper, WY and Portland, OR.

At her request, she has been cremated, and her ashes will be scattered in a favorite place in the Wyoming wilderness.

A gathering will be held in her memory at the Inn at Lander in the War Bonnet room on November 8th from 2 to 4 p.m.