Joan Woessner passed away early Tuesday morning, Dec. 21, 2010, in her home with her oldest son Jeremy by her side. Joan was born Nov. 29, 1957 to Omar and Mae Canaday in Kansas. She was raised on a farm in Kansas with ten siblings: James, Alice, Dorthy, Don, Roy, Becky, Sue, Larry, Betty and Dan.

When Joan was in her late teens she came to Oak Harbor to visit a friend. On her visit she fell in love with the “ocean” at Rocky Point, and decided that this is where she was going to live. In 1981 Joan gave birth to her first son Jeremy, and soon after she met the man she would end up loving the rest of her life, Jim Woessner. Jim and Joan were married Aug. 3, 1985, after Jim spent hundreds of dollars on roses for Joan to show his love for her. Within a year of being married Joan gave birth to her second son Jacob. Joan was an amazing woman.

Joan worked at Ennens Foods in Oak Harbor, owned Midway Mart and most recently worked the front counter at Hilltop Texaco. Joan loved Whidbey summers and spending time with her family and friends. On Jan. 23, 2009, Joan held her first grand baby. From that day onward her life almost literally revolved around her granddaughter JezLynn Grace (daughter of Jeremy and his wife Dezaray). Joan’s last days were spent with her husband Jim, sons Jeremy and Jacob, daughter-in-law Dezaray, and granddaughter JezLynn.

Joan’s family would like family and friends to join them Friday, Dec. 31, 2010 (New Year’s Eve) at their home at 401 SW Sixth Ave., Oak Harbor, at 3 p.m. to remember Joan and share memories of her. At 6 p.m., following the celebration of Joan’s life, family and friends are invited to “Joan’s Party.” She always made it very clear that she wanted her family and friends to celebrate her life not morn her death. There will be food and drinks and many more stories about Joan. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest book and leave memories for the family.