Marian Jo Ann Walston

Marian Jo Ann Walston, was born on March 26, 1936 in Colville, WA to Ralph and Hulda Walston. She spent her youth on her family’s farm and graduated from Colville High School in 1954. After high school, Joann moved to Bellingham where she attended Western Washington College of Education (Now Western Washington University). She graduated with a degree in education in 1958.

After college, Joann worked overseas for the US Department of Defense, teaching English in both Japan and Germany. Upon returning to the United States, Joann taught school in Ephrata before settling in Bellingham. A gifted educator, Joann spent her career teaching in the Bellingham Public Schools, her last job being librarian at Silver Beach elementary.

After retirement, Joann turned to missionary work, spending time in Africa, Hungary, and Haiti. After returning to the states, Joann settled at Warm Beach in Stanwood, WA, where she lived the last twenty years until her passing.

Joann was a longtime member of the Free Methodist Church in Bellingham. She was known for her excellent baking skills and enjoyed making bread for family and friends.

Joann was preceded in death by her brother Ken and sister-in-law Jance Walston. She is survived by a large extended family.

Following a celebration of life in Stanwood, Joann will be interred at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale, WA.