Joan "Joni" Ann Brown

Joni Ann Brown, 58, passed away at her home July 5th after a long battle with liver cancer. She grew up in the Tacoma, Port Orchard, and Gig Harbor area and graduated from Wilson High school in 1970. She met and married the love of her life Garry in 1972. They raised three children in Olalla and eventually moved to Gig Harbor in June of 87'. She worked for Washington State DOC for 28 years, both in the field offices and at WCCW. All of which made for some great stories and great laughs. Joni is survived by her husband Garry, daughter and son-in-law Tera and Nathan Diehl of Port Orchard, son and daughter-in-law Ty and Marci Brown of Olalla, son and daughter-in-law Kraig and Nivan Brown of Gig Harbor, as well as her four grandchildren, Alexander and Ethan Diehl, Danika Brown, and Kylee Falk-Hall. She spent her childhood with her father Louis Harding on the tug boat that he skippered for Foss Maritime. She spent many summers with family and friends camping and fishing all over the state. She enjoyed salmon fishing anywhere, but loved the Sekiu area the most. During the summer, Joni could be spotted in the middle of the Tieton River fishing for trout. She enjoyed camping and fishing on the Tieton River, Rimrock Lake, Hunters Campground on Lake Roosevelt, the Swift Reservoir, and gathering oysters or clam digging anyplace from the coast to the Hoods canal. She also loved to go out to dinner with friends and family, just to sit and talk awhile. Christmas held another special place in Joni's heart. From going to get the perfect Christmas tree in the mountains to decorating the outside of the house with lots of lights to the inside of the house with her large collection of Snow Babies. She always planned a big Christmas Eve dinner to share with family and friends, and always had a big smile on her face. Joni wanted anyone who showed up for Christmas, no matter who you were, to have a good time, get plenty to eat, and she always made sure you had a gift to open. Joni was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She told it like it was, no bones about it, but she always had an ear to listen to you. Joni had a very large heart and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. Joni Ann Brown will be deeply missed by so many. Joni -- we will think of you often especially when we are enjoying the special places that you have shown us or enjoyed with us while you were here.