Joan K. (Smith) Howard
December 14, 1926 - December 30, 2015
Obituary
Joan was born on December 14, 1926 in Renton, WA and passed away on December 30, 2015.
Joan married Gordon Smith in 1951 and had two children, Greg and Linda. Joan, Gordon and their children resided in Federal Way, WA and built a real estate/construction company together. Joan was proceeded in death by Gordon in 1983.
In 1989 Joan married Louis (Wally) Howard and lived on Hood Canal. Together they enjoyed fishing, traveling, horse racing (always placing a bet on horse #4) and Mariner games.
Joan and Wally enjoyed spending time in Reno where Joan could be found at a blackjack table with a stack of winnings.
Joan loved spending time with family and friends. Throughout her life Joan enjoyed entertaining, taking walks, watching Seahawk and Mariner games and baking her signature pies. Joan and Wally spent many hours fishing on Hood Canal, Pillar Point and Sekui to name a few, there were always fish in the freezer.
One of Joan’s favorite trips was with her children, their spouses and her grandchildren on a cruise to the Caribbean.
Joan created wonderful memories for everyone she met and if you are reading this we are sure you have at least one. That is one of the gifts she left all of us.
Joan is survived by her husband Wally, son Greg (Sharon), daughter Linda (Paul), stepdaughters Tracy (James), Holly (Perry), Kim (Michael) and Beth. Grandchildren Meagan, Drew, Parker, Justin, Austin and Gabby. Great-grandchildren Jayden and Jazmine and several nieces and nephews.
At Joan’s request a private graveside service will be held at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial in Sea-Tac. A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/donate or the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org/donate.