Joan Margaret Mitchell-Harris, 74, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a brief illness on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center in Carson City, Nevada.
Born August 16, 1934, to George and Violet Parry in Birmingham, England, Joan immigrated to the United States in 1956 settling in California with her husband of two years Donald Shayler Mitchell-Harris. She welcomed daughter, Donna in 1957 and proudly became a citizen of The United States in 1961.
Long time residents of Santa Maria, Calif., Joan and Don decided to move to Carson City, Nev., in 1999 to be closer to their daughter and grandson Brian. Joan suffered the loss of her husband Don in June 2000.
Joan had many hobbies including painting and sewing. She was a member of the Tole Painting Society in both Reno, Nev., and San Luis Obispo, Calif., as well as a member of the National Society of Decorative Painters. She was an active member of the St. Peters Episcopal Church in Santa Maria, Calif.
Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; mother, Violet; father, George; brothers, Edgar, Frank and Fred; and sisters, Rose, Lily, Elsie and Jean.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Rivers; grandson, Brian Rivers; great-grandson Jacob Rivers; sisters, Ida Fitzhenry and Audrey Ellis, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Joan's name to the American Lung Association - Reno Office by calling 775-829-5864.
Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.
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