Joanne Pyle Class of 1959

[Wally Baade]

I recently leaned of Joannes passing. She was a true beauty and will be missed. Here is the Obit from the CDA Press.

Joann Carmella Drake, 67
Posted: Monday, Sep 15, 2008 - 09:16:30 am PDT
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Joann Carmella Drake, 67, died Sept. 10, 2008, at Kootenai Medical Center, Coeur d’Alene. She was born Feb. 6, 1941, in Kellogg, to Domonic and Olga Rubino, and raised by Gilbert and Olga Pyle.

Joann lived her childhood in Kellogg, attending elementary school, junior high school, and high school there, then moved to Portland, Ore., to live, work, and raise her family. She loved music and dancing. She played the piano since childhood. It was one of her “great passions.” It brought her much enjoyment, peace and comfort.

She worked as Personnel and Benefits Manager for Meier & Frank, and later as a secretary for an insurance agent during her 40-plus years in Portland. Retired, she moved to Coeur d’Alene seven years ago.

Thrice married, Joann maintained close relationships with her extended family and a few close friends. She also loved helping others, which led her to serving as a caregiver at several retirement homes for the last five years, aiding the elderly with their laundry, medications, getting to doctors’ appointments, and so forth. She was an ombudsman for the elderly, so that she could “right any wrongs” that should be addressed in nursing homes or retirement homes when discovered.

Joann had a great compassion for all animals. She loved dogs a lot and wanted to eventually have another dog along with her beloved cats. She was never still, always moving, and spent her spare time meticulously keeping up her home and yard, and keeping her bright red 1993 Jeep Wrangler in cherry condition. She never left the house without looking her best and she enjoyed displaying her wearable art. She also relished eating out, especially at Mexican restaurants.

Joann was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her son, Kelley David Matlock, currently of Coeur d’Alene; an aunt, Joyce Crabb, of Superior, Mont.; and numerous cousins. She will be cremated. No funeral is planned.