Joan Bowman Carlson was born in Seattle on Dec. 27, 1931, to Frank and Alberta Bowman. She passed away at age 77 on March 14, 2009, following a short stay at Whidbey Island Manor.

Joan grew up on Queen Anne Hill and attended Coe Elementary School and Queen Anne High, graduating in 1949. As a child she enjoyed many hours on the beach at Indianola, Wash. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she met her husband, Ed. She graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. She was a member of Delta Zeta sorority and earned membership in the scholastic honorary Phi Beta Kappa.

Following graduation she was married at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle on August 21, 1952, after which they moved to Yakima. From Yakima they moved to the Tri-Cities where she worked for a time at General Electric in data processing. While in the Tri-Cities she was active in the Kadlec Hospital Auxiliary, the Vista Women’s Club, the Richland Yacht Club, the Tri-City Power Boat Association, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Following Ed’s retirement, the Carlson’s moved to the coast returning to trees and saltwater. Joan designed their Whidbey Island home that was built in 1989 in Coupeville. Joan was a co-founder of the Whidbey Island chapter of AAUW. She was also involved with the Paul Bishop Guild of the Whidbey Hospital Auxiliary and Friends of the Library. Joan was known as the lady who walked the little black poodle along Parker Road. Joan was an avid quilter, and enjoyed walking on the beach looking for agates.

Joan is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ed, her son Jeff, her daughter-in-law Jennifer, her granddaughter Rayna, her daughter Andrea, her cousin Connie Holmes Hutchison, her niece Kelly McDaniel, and her black poodle Magic.

Private family graveside services will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Seattle. Memorials may be made to Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation, P.O. Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.