Joan Coart Gorow passed away October 22nd in her Issaquah home surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 29, 1937 in Seattle, WA. Joan was a remarkable woman who fought Multiple Sclerosis since 1964. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about 11 years ago, and successfully beat breast cancer; being cancer free for 10 years. Even with these terrible diseases she never complained, and remained a tower of strength to her family and friends.
Joan was a 1959 graduate of Washington State College, and a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, serving one year as president. Over the years, the relationship she had with her sorority sisters was very important to her. While at WSC (now WSU) Joan was also a member of the Panhellenic board; Phi Chi Theta, the women’s business honorary; Women’s Recreation Association; and Fish Fans, the synchronized swimming group.
While living in Bellevue, Joan was a campfire leader and was very active in the Pi Beta Phi alum club. After moving to Gig Harbor she became a docent at the Point Defiance Zoo. Joan had a passion for animals. She also volunteered time in the schools.
Joan was a tremendous support to her loving husband John, the first principal of Gig Harbor High School. During those first years of the school, she was always one of the first to volunteer for the many necessary tasks. Her support and good nature made her a favorite of the staff. As one of the original staff recently commented, “We looked upon Joan as our ‘god mother.'”
Joan loved to play golf, one of the things she truly missed after MS made it difficult for her to continue playing. She was an active member of the Gig Harbor Golf Club and served as its secretary for several years. The golf trips she and John took with Gig Harbor friends provided them with special memories.
Joan loved the outdoors which included a fondness for gardening. Other interests of Joan included travel. She had a special fondness for the island of Kauai where she and John spent many wonderful days. After retirement they took trips to several countries throughout the world.
Family was important to Joan. Her beloved daughter, Julie Siefkes (Doug) of Sammamish, was so dear to her. Julie stood by her mother during her fight over the last many years, providing the love needed for Joan’s battle against the diseases that tried to control her. Her stepchildren; Kathy Paurus (Mike) of Dayton, MN, Mark Gorow (Kiki) of Bothell, and Michele Houston (Dan) of Tacoma, and their families, were also important to her. They were honored to be with Joan at the end of her life. All these families have blended together into one loving group.
Joan’s eight grandchildren – Ryan, Erica, and Claire Siefkes; Felicia and Zoe Gorow; Lydia, Lauren, and James Houston – brought much joy into her life. She loved to attend the activities they participated in. She was so proud of all of them. They have learned to overcome obstacles, much as their grandmother did.
There was a unique bond between Joan and her brother John Coart of Clyde Hill. They loved to talk about their growing up years, especially the summers spent at Pipe Lake in Maple Valley, WA. John’s family: wife Kathie; daughters Karin Coart and Kristin Blake (Braden); along with Kristin’s son, Coartney, have always held Joan close to their hearts.
John, Julie, and other members of the family express their thanks to all those who have supported them and Joan during these last few months of Joan’s life. Special recognition goes to the Group Health home care and hospice teams who provided important care for Joan and the family. We also thank the caregivers who have helped with Joan’s care, especially Jayme Klein who showed so much love to Joan over the past several years.
A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, November 20 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 2650 148th Ave SE, Bellevue. We encourage wearing blue, Joan’s favorite color. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her memory to:
Gig Harbor Tides Scholarship Foundation
Joan and John Gorow Scholarship
PO Box 2674
Gig Harbor, WA 98335