Joan Waterbury Mather

July 18, 1928 - October 2023

Joan was born in Pasadena to Glenn and Etta Longworth Waterbury and had a younger sister, June. She attended South Pasadena High School and UC Santa Barbara. After college, she worked in a fashionable department store on the East Coast. During that time, she visited the nightclubs of the Jersey Shore and had fond memories of seeing the big bands and famous singers of the 1940s, such as Frank Sinatra, whom she adored.

After returning to California, she met and married Bill Mather, eloping to Las Vegas in classic style. Although she loved Bill, her independent nature told her to move on and they divorced after just a few years. However, they remained good friends until his death. Living in the Newport Beach area, she worked for Ford Aerospace as a secretary for many years and made lifelong friends there. Later, she moved on to real estate, selling homes in the exclusive enclaves of the area. She traveled, seeing Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and visiting far-flung friends. She enjoyed nothing more than cocktails and fine dining, frequently treating her family to amazing meals at fancy restaurants. She loved fashion and had a closet stuffed with beautiful clothes. And despite her passion for sweets, especially chocolate and ice cream, she remained a paragon of good health until nearly the end. She always looked younger than her age and it was hard to believe she was 95 when she passed.

Joan was a kind and generous woman who enjoyed shopping for others and giving gifts. She truly had a heart of gold. Joan was preceded in death by her sister, June Waterbury Mew (SPHS '50), and half-brother Dr Rex Waterbury. She is survived by nephews and a nice, her half-sister Marsha Harrison, and her great nephews and nieces. She also leaves behind many devoted friends who along with her family will miss her very much.

Orange County Register, October 22, 2023