Joan Arlene Shapeero of Eureka peacefully passed away on Dec. 23, 2024.

Joan was born on May 30, 1934 to Wesley and Viola Lukenbill in Tacoma, Washington. She was the eldest of three children. Following graduation from Lincoln High School in 1952, Joan went to work for the telephone company where she worked for four years. In 1954 she met William Shapeero and they married in October 1955. Joan and Bill had two sons, Michael and Patrick. It was a busy household with Bill continuing his education and Joan maintaining a household and raising their two active boys.

When the boys were in their preteens the family moved to Corvallis, where Bill pursued his doctorate at Oregon State University and Joan worked at the University’s Student Health Services. Completing his doctorate the family moved to Eureka, where Bill taught at the College of the Redwoods, and later moved to Hydesville. In 1975 Patrick graduated from high school and Joan completed an Associates Degree in business from the College of the Redwoods. Following her graduation Joan worked for two years as a teacher’s aide in Fortuna.

Joan and Bill divorced after 32 yrs of marriage in 1987. It was a difficult time for Joan but she rented a townhouse close to Pat and his family and soon loved life again, living independently there for over 30 years.

Joan joined Unity Church of the Redwoods, where she met Jim Snow. They soon developed a loving companionship that lasted 25 years until his death in 2013. Joan and Jim enjoyed dinners together, traveling, family holidays and their weekly Saturday breakfast dates at Gill’s By the Bay. Joan joined Jim working in his appliance store for five years until Jim retired.

At the age 70 Joan retired from North Coast Family Practice, where she worked as a medical records clerk for 10 years. Never wanting to be idle, she did volunteer work for another seven years.

Joan’s greatest joy were her three talented granddaughters and she enjoyed sharing their accomplishments with her friends and family. She was very proud of her sons and the life choices they have made.

Joan is survived by her two sons, Michael Paul (Emma) of Bloomsberg, Penn. and Patrick Wayne of Santa Rosa; three granddaughters — Dhyana Wallace (Kenneth Meth), Jordan Rohanna (Will Burner), Emily Shapeero; and Joan’s sister Carol Mikesh (Paul). Joan was preceded in death by her brother Gary.

Joan enjoyed her life and wanted to thank some of those that made that possible. “Thank you so much to the following. My special friends from Unity Church Anne Merryfield, Janette Murphy and Carol Saucier. Jim’s daughters, Jamie Boone, Kim Regalo and their families who have been like a second family to me. Dolly Frye of Frye’s Care Home and her capable staff for all their help. A special thank you to my loving sister Carol for putting together my life’s story.”

There will be a small family gathering in her honor sometime in the spring at Pat’s property in Kneeland.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joan Shapeero’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.