Joan Dora Lichtvert
Joan Dora Lichtvert passed away peacefully on Sept. 11, 2025, in her home. Joan was born in Bourneville Village, England, on May 28, 1932.
She came to the U.S. in 1954. Joan lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the first two years and then in Phoenix, Ariz., for six years. She moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1961, where she met and married Joe, her beloved husband of 37 years before his death in 2009.
Joan and Joe lived in the Bay Area until 1987 when they moved to Grass Valley, Calif., where they lived until they relocated to continue retirement in Green Valley, Ariz., in 2005.
Joan had several different careers, working as a preschool teacher, dental assistant, medical office manager, tour guide, and owner of a bookkeeping service. Joan has always given of herself volunteering. She has served as an usher for performing arts groups in California and Arizona. Due to her great love of animals she was a volunteer at the Animal League. She volunteered at senior day care centers and the Green Valley hospital.
Joan was a member of the British Teapot Club, Red Hat Society, Critter Club, and Women of Quail Creek. Joan was an active and supporting member of Unity of the Valley Church. Before moving to Green Valley, she was an active member of Unity Church of Grass Valley, Calif.
Joan loved gardening and especially enjoyed the garden at her home in Quail Creek. She loved music; singing in choirs; playing guitar, piano, and Celtic Harp; and writing and reading poetry. She liked hiking, camping, bicycle touring, and tennis. She especially enjoyed spending time in our Santa Rita Mountains. Her love of travel took her and Joe to our national parks, and other places of interest in the U.S. as well as in many other countries.
Joan had a lifelong love of learning. She took many Ollie classes and Spanish classes. She participated in small groups and religious classes at her church. She never lost her love of learning. Joan will always be remembered for her curious mind and generous heart.
Joan was a wonderful friend to many all through her life. Kindness, loyalty, and love were her guiding lights in all her relationships. Once a friend of Joan’s, always a friend.
A will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2025, at Unity in the Valley Church. Anyone wishing to gift in her memory, please consider Unity in the Valley Church or a charity of your choice.