Joan Connelly Garrett, 85, a longtime San Marino resident who most recently lived in Atascadero, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2018 in Templeton, California. Joan was born in Los Angeles on August 6, 1932 and moved from San Gabriel to San Marino when she was 10 years old. Joan attended San Marino's Valentine and Huntington schools, and graduated from South Pasadena-San Marino High School in 1950, where she was a Song Girl. Joan was chosen to ride on the City of South Pasadena's float in the 1950 Rose Parade. In 1952, Joan graduated from Stephen's College in Missouri with a degree in Fashion Design.

In June 1954, Joan married her high school sweetheart, Robert Garrett (SPHS '50). They spent one year in Green Bay, Wisconsin while Bob played football for the Packers, then two years in Merced, where their first son was born, while Bob completed his service commitment at Castle Air Force Base. They moved back to the San Gabriel Valley area in 1957.

Joan held seemingly every office in the PTA as her four children made their way through San Marino's schools. She was chosen for inclusion in the 1967 edition of 'Outstanding Young Women of America' due to her community involvement and volunteerism. A charter and board member of the San Marino Tennis Foundation, she loved playing competitive tennis, especially doubles. She served as the Grad Night Chairman for San Marino High School in 1973. Joan helped spearhead many Class of '50 reunions throughout the years. She and Bob were members of San Marino Community Church and took great joy in belonging to the Twigbenders church group.

From 1975-1992, Joan served as the City of San Marino's Recreation Director, creating and overseeing numerous successful programs, including the San Marino Swim Team (the Tsunami) and the Lacy Park Freewheelers summer youth camp.

After Bob's sudden passing in December 1987, Joan fulfilled their flying ambition by earning her wings in 1988. By 1992, Joan was piloting her four-seater Piper Dakota all over the western United States, often with her children, grandchildren, and friends in tow. Although she refrained from demonstrating any aerobatics to her family passengers, she did complete the course!

Joan remained active in the local chapter of Over the Hill Gang International, which she and Bob had joined, and delighted in hiking, biking, and white water rafting excursions, as well as skiing (into her mid-70s). Sailing with friends was always a passion, dating back to summers on Balboa Island.

Affectionately known as 'Wan' or 'Waneewan,' Joan biked through Ireland in 2000 with daughters Terri and Cathi and daughter-in-law Maureen. Her travels took her to Africa, Europe, Machu Picchu, and Alaska, where she flew and landed a seaplane. Family vacations created many special memories, particularly those at Black Butte Ranch in Oregon, Bass Lake, and especially an Alaska trip in 2008 which included most of her children, grandchildren, and her first great-grandchild.

Joan lovingly and patiently cared for daughter Terri after she suffered a brain aneurysm in 2001. In 2010, Joan's own scare with a brain aneurysm ended her flying days and she moved to a lovely cottage she designed and built in Atascadero to be closer to some of her family.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Josephine Connelly, younger brother Jack Connelly (SPHS '54), twin sister, Patricia Connelly Herzog (SPHS '50). Joan is survived by her son Chuck and his wife, Connie, of Pacific Grove; daughter Terri Garrett Thayer of San Luis Obispo; son Bill and his wife, Maureen, of San Carlos; daughter Cathi Garrett Casebolt and her husband, Rob, of Atascadero; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

One of Waneewan's great joys was being up in the sky and looking down at the crowded freeways and beautiful landscape, feeling in control and deliciously free. Now, she is doing so from a greater vantage point, with her beloved Bob by her side. Waneewan will be sorely missed but lovingly remembered as thoughtful, selfless, generous, vibrant, fun-loving, and kind.

Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Star-News, Atascadero News, July 13, 2018