Joan Elizabeth (Townsend) Molleston

In the earlier morning of Monday July 30, 2018, at the age of 84, after loving weekend visits from her family, including facetime calls with her daughter and grandchildren in Hawaii, Joan Elizabeth (Townsend) Molleston quietly ended her story and passed away listening to music in her Shoreline Washington group home. The story of Joan’s shining smile began on October 14, 1933, with her parents, Kenny and Edith Tinkham, in Sonoma California. With her mother soon divorced and remarried, that sweet blond haired, hazel eyed, little girl laughed and played hide and seek, with her older sister Edna, in the woodpiles of her mother and stepfather’s lumber yard in Hayward California. Full of creativity and wonder, and eager to explore life’s adventures, at the impressionable and brave age of seventeen Joan found her first love, Donald Hine. On June 3rd 1950, Joan and Don married and soon a new Hine family was born, first Pamala, then Greg, and finally Ron. In 1960, the family journey took them to the small suburbia town of Edmonds, just north of Seattle Washington. Joan’s creative yearnings began to express itself in the splendor of her home’s décor and as a skilled party host. In 1965, Joan traded her rain coat for a flower print dress and flew with her family to the town of Kailua in Hawaii. After settling into island life, Joan worked to brighten the Hawaiian smile as a dental hygienist. Joan then left her hygienist role to sell home furnishings, where she began to discover her genius in interior design. Around 1970, Joan became restless in her 20 years of marriage and drifted into a divorce from Don. In 1972, with her blond hair flowing in the wind as they sailed down the road in his Cadillac convertible, Joan married the master swimming pool builder, Lloyd Townsend. Joan and Lloyd soon started Island Pool and Patio, where Lloyd sold pool service and supplies, while Joan sold island patio designs and furnishings. With Joan’s mom passing, and her stepfather in declining health, in 1978 Joan and Lloyd returned to Hayward California. While in California, Joan entered the fast pace world of commercial interior design, using drapes and carpet to create visual experiences in large commercial buildings. The pace took its toll and Joan experienced a mild cerebral hemorrhage, from which she would fully recover. Looking to slow down the pace, in 1984 Joan and Lloyd moved back to Edmonds Washington where Joan’s creativity went into full bloom. She became a master at creating stunning silk flower arrangements. Her veins flowed with creativity as she fashioned interiors and shaped incredible silk flower arrangements for businesses, conventions, and personal homes. Never advertising, word of mouth kept her skills in demand. In 2006, Lloyd passed away and Joan missed life with a companion. She quickly moved into Garden Court Retirement Community, a complex which she had recently completed as one of her last interior design projects. Still seeking companionship, she met Bob Molleston at Garden Court, participated in a commitment ceremony, and changed her name to Molleston. Unfortunately, the shadow of dementia and other medical issues soon pushed Joan’s needs to a level of care their relationship couldn’t fare. She moved from Garden Court and, in a couple years, came to a peaceful rest. All through her life, Joan’s creativity, graciousness, laughter, and love, created friendships and bonds that will remain timeless. Joan is survived by her three children (and their spouses), Pamala (Lenny) Lamb, Gregory (Mary) Hine, and Ronald (Beatrice) Hine; seven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and many great friends. A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 1, at Gleneagle Country Club in Arlington. The Gleneagle address is 7619 East Country Club Drive, Arlington, WA 98223. If you’d like to attend, please contact Pam, Greg, or Ron or RSVP at [email protected].