Joanne Marie (Conners, Buckner) Harpel
Joanne Harpel, of Redmond, WA., beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 after a 16 month battle with lung cancer. She was at home, in her own bed, with family by her side and passed away peacefully.
Joanne was born in Seattle, WA. on December 26th, 1945, to Joseph and Dorothy Conners. She graduated from Rainier Beach High School in 1964.
Her first job was as an elevator operator at McDougals Department Store in downtown Seattle, and all through her life, she looked back at that job as her favorite of all her jobs.
Joanne also worked at Vince’s Italian Restaurant, Airborne Freight, ADP, Consilium, and in 2006 she retired from Emil’s Concrete Construction, where she always felt like she was a part of the family and loved everyone there.
Following High School, Joanne married Dave Buckner, and had two daughters, Lisa and Jennifer. As a lot of young marriages go, this one didn’t work out and she and Dave divorced.
She married Gary Harpel in 1976, and after five years, this marriage too ended. However, on July 13th, 1985, Joanne’s and Gary’s paths crossed and the old flame was instantly rekindled and they were remarried on 8/8/88, at the home they purchased together in Redmond. This time the marriage worked and they remained together, in that same home, until her death.
Joanne loved to travel and enjoyed their trips to Maui, the Caribbean, Mexico, Washington DC, Arizona, as well as the many road trips to destinations around Washington, Oregon, and Canada.
Joanne’s favorite loves of all, were her granddaughters. Jennifer’s two girls Isabella and Madeline, and Lisa’s daughter Lily. She enjoyed every minute she ever spent with them, and they enjoyed her as well.
Joanne was preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister Arlene Ryndak. She is survived by her husband Gary, her brother David, daughters Lisa (Rob) Kerr, and Jennifer (Sid) Taylor, stepsons Shane and Travis, and granddaughters Lily, Isabella, Madeline, and Carmen.
Joanne was a beautiful lady and was loved by everyone that knew her. We will miss her dearly.
Donations in memory of Joanne may be made to Cascade Cancer Center Foundation, 12303 NE 130th Lane, Suite 120, Kirkland, WA, 98034.