Joan Gail Dolfin

Joan Gail (Gauthier) Dolfin peacefully passed away on March 7, 2013 in Port Orchard, WA. Joan was born in Tacoma, WA on August 11, 1936 and was raised primarily in Gig Harbor, WA. She graduated from Peninsula High School in 1954. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Ora Gauthier, and brothers Leon, Gordon, and Jerry Gauthier. She is survived by her sisters Mary (Harold) Alspaugh and Carol (Roy) Larter, brothers Stan and George (Ellen), her five children Tom (Phyllis) Zittritsch, Juli (John) Cheyney, Gary Raines, Carole (Mike) Vose, and Mike (Jane) Zittritsch, 8 grandchildren Athena, Brandon, Joshua, Kahlan, Erynn, Madison, Theo, and Anna, 3 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Joan met her first husband and father of their 5 children, Bill Zittritsch, in Tacoma. They were married and lived in University Place before moving down to California. There they raised their children, enjoying the warmer climate and sunny beaches of Southern California. Joan's parents, Carl and Ora Gauthier, eventually made the move from Washington to California as well, followed by Joan’s brother Jerry Gauthier and his wife Shirley. Joan enjoyed spending weekends with her family at the beaches under the warm sun. She was a wonderful cook, and she was avid about keeping a neat, orderly house. After nearly 20 years in California, Joan and her husband divorced, and Joan returned to Washington with her children. She settled back in Gig Harbor to be near her brothers and sisters and their families, and resided there until 2010, when she was moved into a memory care facility in Port Orchard to help aid in her battle with dementia. She fought the disease with bravery for the last three years. Joan was surrounded by family during her last days and she passed away peacefully in her sleep. For that we are so very thankful. Joan was a very caring and giving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She always put the needs of her family before her own, never complaining when times got tough. Joan's greatest gift was her ability to provide love without judgment. She will be loved always, missed dearly, forever in our hearts, and never forgotten. The family plans a private memorial gathering in April. Donations can be made in Joan's memory to The Alzheimer's Association or Franciscan Hospice.