Joann Helen Kennebeck
May 22, 1937 — October 9, 2015
Friday, October 9 th , at 2:55 a.m., Joann H. Kennebeck lost her courageous battle against her ailments resulting from complications of three hip surgeries.
She was the most tenacious, passionate, strong-willed person I’d ever met! Mom had this huge, infectious smile that everyone loved and her highly energetic personality excited everyone whom she met.
A self-driven woman, Joann met every and all challenges head on! Whether it be remodeling several houses, as a single parent raising her son, showing and racing (Iditarod style) Siberian huskies, rebuilding an old wooden 25’ Chris Craft boat, to planning, and coordinating flower arrangements for her friends’ weddings! Mom loved animals and her greatest joy was baking Christmas cookies with her granddaughter Chelsea Bailey. Passion and drive best describe my mother and there was never a shortage of either!
She achieved many things in life starting at an early age. One illustration was her mastering the classical music of Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Lecuona, Mendelssohn and Mozart on the piano and giving a concerto performance at her Grant High School commencement at the Civic Auditorium!
After high school, she graduated nurses’ training at Emanuel Hospital and immediately started work in Emanuel’s ER department. There she received additional training as a trauma nurse and excelled amongst her peers. She later moved to Woodland Park Hospital rising to Supervisor of the ER department. While maintaining her position at the Hospital she also worked part time at the Portland Memorial Coliseum as a First Aide Nurse during events and did a brief stint as an Industrial Nurse for Freightliner. She finally completed her career at Tuality Hospital as an Admittance Administrator.
Later in life my mother met my step dad whom she loved and cared for and their relationship has endured for 35 years.
“Thanks, mom for all your passion, smiles, love and lemon meringue pie!!! We love you and will miss you. Blessed be the journey for you Mom.”
-Bernie Kennebeck