Joan Marie Bailey

Joan Marie Bailey passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 10, 2024, at her residence in Puyallup’s South Hill at the age of 94.  

Joan was a life-long resident of Washington, born to Lawrence W. and Genevieve M. (Herman) Boyd on February 8, 1930, at Columbus Hospital in Seattle, WA.  She attended Holy Rosary Catholic School in West Seattle and met her future husband Edward L. Bailey while he was giving a vacuum sales demonstration to some mutual friends.  They were married on July 2, 1948, at the Fauntleroy Congregational Church in Seattle.  Joan and Ed were married for over 64 years until Ed passed away in 2013.  Joan went outside of the home to work in 1965 for the Highline School District and retired in 1988.  She enjoyed her retirement years spending time with family, gardening, quilting, sewing, antiquing, canning, and traveling.  She especially liked finding new bakeries, ice-cream shops, finding that great bargain or buy one get one sale, or scoring a coin on the ground. Many of these activities and interests she passed down to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Joan is survived by her son, Edward C. (Anne) Bailey and her daughter, Chris M. Bailey.  Seven Grandchildren; Corrie (Thomas), Mark (Barbara), Justin (Jocelyn), Kyle, Jessica (Kevin), Matthew (Tory), and Andrew (Amy) and 14 Great-grandchildren; Nathan, Melissa, Joshua, Timothy, Anika, Sofia, Ari, Nolan, Odin, Ben, Remy, Macie, Ella, and Korbin and several good friends. 

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers; Charles E. (Chuck) and William J. (Bee) Boyd.

Joan always found joy in providing for her family in life – she was practical but also enjoyed laughter, music (although she wouldn’t sing), holidays, animals (especially cats), and giving of her time.   Often found sitting at sidelines of baseball and football games that she had no idea how were played, school and church plays, trailer camping and as her husband always said – “she is a good cook”.  Always behind the scenes making things look easy!  She truly was “General Joan”.

We are sad to see her go – it is the end of an era, and she will forever be in our hearts and deeply missed.  Forever loved!