Obituary of Joan Arlene Towner

Joan Arlene (Judge) Towner passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on August 4, 2017 at Fir Lane Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shelton, Washington. She was born to William and Gladys Judge on December 17, 1942 in Spokane, Washington. She entered the Mary of the Angels Convent at the age of 13 and graduated from Marycliff High School in Spokane. She continued to pursue a religious vocation at the Franciscan Order’s mother house, the St. Rose Convent, in Lacrosse, Wisconsin and studied at Viterbo college there. Following her departure from the convent, she returned to Spokane and attended Gonzaga University where she continued to study to be a teacher. Following her college experience, Joan worked as an au pair in Germany and enjoyed many adventures throughout Europe. Joan lived in Seattle for almost 30 years where she worked at Swedish Hospital prior to her employment at the Washington State Attorney General’s office. She met and married Raymond Towner with whom she shared her life for 8 years before separating. She spent the last 11 years of her life at Fir Lane where she enjoyed arts and crafts, winning bingo prizes to give to her loved ones, regular visits from her three sisters and members of her church, and spending time with the Fir Lane nurses and staff who loved and cared for her like family. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Mary Patricia “Patty” (Marvin, deceased) Herren; two nephews, Ben and Bernie Briere, and a niece, Teresa Briere; She is survived by her twin sister, Janet (Lovel, deceased) Briere of Lacey; sisters Kathleen (Jim) Stephens of Lacey and Julie (Dwight) Herron of Longview, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Joan was a strong and independent woman who, in spite of hardships, was not one to complain or cast blame upon others. Rather, her challenges developed in her a strong sense of empathy for everyone she encountered. She will be remembered for her cheerfulness, her beautiful smile, and her devotion to her Catholic faith. Memorial donations may be made in Joan’s name to Catholic Community Services or your local homeless shelter. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 9:00 am at St Edwards Church in Shelton. Burial will follow at Holyrood Cemetery in the Shoreline district of Seattle.