Joanne H Doucette
Obituary
Joanne Helen (Coleman) Doucette, 86, died April 21, 2020 surrounded by family at her home near Haines.
Motivated by her deep faith, Joanne courageously waged a 12-year battle with leukemia. A beautiful person inside and out, she was a loyal, wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and "Auntie," and she approached life with a moral and earnest passion to always give her best effort. Her hardworking values enabled her to be good at just about everything she did. She also lived by
the philosophy that the greatest gift she had to give was the gift of self and service to others. Her enormous heart, wonderful soul, kind but energetic spirit, and selfless generosity were an inspiring example to her family, friends and all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
Joanne was born in Salem, Oregon on May 6, 1933, to Rose (Burger) and Francis Ross Coleman. Raised in the small farming/rodeo town of St.
Paul, she attended St. Paul School and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salem. A rodeo princess, she met and soon married the love of her life, Rudy Doucette, a professional rodeo cowboy from Phoenix, Arizona on August 16, 1952. Welcoming son Dan, and later daughter Mary Ann, Joanne nurtured their young family while Rudy made their living as they traveled the rodeo circuit with a horse van and trailer home. When the kids became school age, they decided to settle in Southern California's San Fernando Valley in 1959 where Rudy was employed in the motion picture industry, and another daughter, Lori was born. Joanne later fulfilled her career dream of becoming a nurse, graduating from the Holy Cross Hospital nursing program in Mission Hills, California in 1970. Specializing in clinical nursing, she loved working with patients (who loved her in return) at an internal medicine practice in Newhall for many years until both she and Rudy retired in 1989.
They had always hoped to return to the Willamette Valley, and were able to find their ideal retirement mini-ranch home on 8 acres north of Keizer, Oregon where they worked hard, and lived happily for over 30 years. An incredibly social person, Joanne embraced the move, and the opportunity to be near her siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins once again. She had more time to pursue her passionate hobby of bowling, and joined several local and travel leagues which enabled her to create many wonderful, lifelong friendships. She so enjoyed trips to the beach with her devoted and dear friend Linda who was like family. She was a very active member of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Keizer. An accomplished quilter, she sewed many masterpieces for her children and grandchildren.
She loved playing cards, sports, the Dodgers, and all things competitive and challenging, attributing that to an instinct acquired as a result of being raised the youngest in a family of 5 brothers and one sister.
Declining health influenced Rudy and Joanne's difficult decision to leave their beloved Keizer home and many friends and relocate to the Haines area in October of 2019 to be closer to family. But they treasured the opportunity to become more acquainted with their Eastern Oregon area grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joanne is survived by her devoted and loving husband Rudy of Haines, sister Rosemary Meier of Mount Angel, son Dan of Baker City, daughters Mary Ann (Jim) Ingram of Haines, and Lori Wilmes (Eric) of Canby, eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Bob, Jack, Don, Max, and dearest Joe Coleman.
Joanne's family wishes to express special appreciation to all members of the health care community in Baker City who provided her with such competent and compassionate care. Dr. Lamb and his associates at St.
Luke's, Dr. Bronstein and the staff of the Billie Ruth Bootsma Clinic, the ER, clinical, laboratory, radiology, clerical and all other staff at St.
Alphonsus Hospital never failed to treat her with respect and dignity. Last but not least, thanks to Heart 'N' Home Hospice for the sensitive guidance and assistance they provided.
Due to Covid-19, Catholic services to be held in Keizer will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions in memory of Joanne can be made to a charity of one's choice through Coles Tribute Center at 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.
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