Joanne "Windy" Shirley Athearn

Joanne “Windy” Shirley Athearn, age 82, died peacefully Sunday, the evening of October 20, 2013 while surrounded by her family. Though born June 2, 1931 in Minnesota, Windy was raised in Rialto, California on a dairy farm. She became an RN in 1952, and shortly thereafter met the love of her life, Donald Charles Athearn, a member of the U.S. Airforce, and later a Rialto Police Officer. After raising three incredible children, Windy and Don decided to escape from California in 1985 and moved to Williams, Oregon, where they built the house of their dreams. They spent the next few decades chasing grandchildren, cultivating a giant garden (which Windy then preserved), and living the life they had always wanted.

Windy was preceded in death by Don in 2008, her husband of 55 years. She is survived by her three beloved children: Karen Fogg of Williams, Oregon; Scott Athearn of San Jacinto, California, and Kathleen Thorpe, of Highland, California. She also leaves behind four grandchildren who adored her: Kelly Fogg-Johnson, Jennifer L. Athearn Vera, Amy Fogg Meyer, and William R. Athearn Thorpe, along with four great grandchildren. Windy’s family will forever remember her as a devoted and caring woman with a great sense of humor. Finally reunited with the love of her life, Windy will continue to look down from heaven to guide her family with the values she and Don had instilled from the beginning.

The family asks that donations be given to the Alzheimer's Association or to another charity in lieu of flowers.

A visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

Graveside services for Windy will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 25, 2013 at Gotcher Cemetery in Williams, Oregon.