Joanne B. Smith

Joanne Beverly Smith, age 83, of Grants Pass passed away at her home April 4, 2024.

Born in Hubbard, Oregon, on June 7, 1940, Joanne spent her formative years in Coos Bay, Oregon. On November 1, 1986, she married Dale Marcus Smith.

Joanne dedicated many years of her life to teaching for the Three Rivers School District. She spent 19 years as a first-grade teacher at Jerome Prairie School. It was at Jerome Prairie School that she developed a very special bond with students and fellow faculty. That bond remains strong to this day.

Joanne’s hobbies included doll-making, calligraphy and making dried flowers. She was an avid swimmer and enjoyed fishing for salmon and steelhead on the Rogue River with her husband, Dale. She also enjoyed playing Bridge.

Joanne was proud of her blended family which includes Trevor Seven (Dianne) of Grants Pass, Mark Smith (Jenny) of Hood River, and Lori Parnicky (Mike) of Walla Walla, Washington. She leaves behind six grandchildren: David, Hannah, Sarah, Shantel, Delaney, and Will. She also is survived by five great-grandchildren: Miles, Elliot, Sutton, Cash, and James.

Joanne loved her pets, Christy and Ginger.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Eileen Kauffman, her father, Louis Kauffman, and her brother Eugene Kauffman.

Donations can be made in her name to: Alzheimer’s Association (Bend); Southern Oregon University; Grants Pass High School foundation; or the Josephine County Academic Masters.

A special thank you to her caregivers, especially Anna Jorgenson.

A funeral service will be at 12:00 noon., Friday, April 19, 2024 at Hull & Hull Chapel. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.