The coolest lady I know passed away on February 21, 2024 at the age of 83. Born JoAnn Hinkel on December 15, 1940 in Virginia, she passed peacefully in Crescent City. JoAnn was either loved by most the second they met her or disliked for her lack of a filter, saying things exactly as she thought, and never mincing words. She wore her “B*TCH” necklace proudly as she was not concerned what others thought of her.

Growing up in Stuarts Draft, Virginia wasn’t always easy for JoAnn but she was strong, independent, tough and hard-working. Her younger years took her to Florida, where she worked as a cocktail waitress at the famed Fountainebleau Miami Beach, was lead dancer at tasteful dance clubs, and was an original wedding crasher. Joann and her girlfriend attended many weddings, uninvited, to enjoy the food and entertainment. JoAnn was also a baton twirler, worked in a factory along with her mother using a loom to weave the velvet cloth that lined coffins, and was a beauty.

It was in Blackstone, Virginia that she caught the attentive eye of a military policeman stationed at the base near her home. It was one Lucky Gardella and she took a huge (and brave) leap of faith by getting on a bus and following him to California. As she hoped, but wasn’t 100% sure, he picked her up at the bus station and that was it.

In Eureka, JoAnn worked at Daly’s Department Store for a few years and made many friends. A lot would change in 1976 when Lucky and JoAnn bought their dream piece of land off Snow Camp Road, surrounded by the hills of Eastern Humboldt, and JoAnn became a true mountain woman. They established their piece of paradise, living off grid way before that was a thing, without the amenities of town. In the early days JoAnn would wake up really early and make Lucky’s lunch before he would take off on logging jobs all over and without a phone, would always anticipate his safe return. She would battle scorpions in the firewood, the occasional mountain lion, and wouldn’t hesitate to meet an unexpected visitor with a pistol in hand. We will all miss the sunny day visits under the apple tree listening to her stories and never ending supply of hysterical one-liners. God she was funny. Sitting around the cookie table and bonfire during Christmas tree season will be missed too. She loved handing out cookies, candy canes and cocoa to the children, and visiting with the families that would come get trees.

Ultimately, dementia took JoAnn from us way before we were ready to let her go but she leaves a lasting impression on all the friends and family she left behind. There is a little less sunshine on the mountain but the void is filled with memories of the fearless, strong, witty lady we knew.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her beloved mother, her father, two brothers and one sister. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Lucky, son Randy, sister-in-law Trudy and nephew Michael.

JoAnn is terribly missed by Lucky, her mountain family, her truest, most special friend Mary Massei and Mary’s husband Joe, Butch & Sherry Reeves, who always made sure JoAnn had homemade goodies to satisfy her sweet tooth, and many other friends and family. She was cremated at Ayres Family Cremation and taken back home to be laid to rest alongside her many pets. May you rest in love, peace and laughter, JoAnn.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of JoAnn Gardella’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.