September 21, 1932 – October 11, 2021
Joan Redford passed peacefully on October 11, 2021 at the age of 89 with her daughter, Lori, by her side. Joan Louise was born on September 21, 1932 in North Hollywood, California to Roscoe Blanchard Jr. and Shirley (Kennedy) Blanchard. Along with her younger brother Warren, she spent her childhood years in North Hollywood, where her family owned the Blanchard Lumber company. She taught swimming in their backyard swimming pool when she was a teenager and graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1950.
Joan started her college years at the University of Arizona, where she enjoyed being part of the synchronized swim team and pledged Pi Beta Phi, beginning a lifelong connection with her Pi Phi sisters. She transferred to Mills College in Oakland for her junior year and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1954 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education as well as a teaching credential.
She taught school in Northern California, where she met her husband, Bob, in 1955, during his law school years at Stanford, and they married on June 21, 1956. After starting their family in San Gabriel, they settled in San Marino, where they lived together for 46 years.
Joan was a class-taught Christian Scientist and was an active member of her church throughout her life, serving in the Reading Room, as a Board Member, and on many different committees. After her children were grown, she was a substitute teacher at Clairbourn School, where her children had attended. She enjoyed her affiliations with the Pi Phi Alumni organization of Pasadena, the Women’s Committee of the Pasadena Symphony Association, and the East Pasadena Republican Women’s Club, serving in leadership and forming valued friendships. Along with Bob, she was a dedicated supporter of the Pasadena Symphony and POPS concert series. They were long-time members of the Society of Fellows at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, and they also loved hosting gatherings and events in their home and garden.
Joan loved to travel, ski, hike, swim and golf, and throughout her life she was able to enjoy many trips with family and friends. In addition to spending time at their second home in Palm Desert, she and Bob enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Alaska and Europe, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Italy. She went on a tour to Israel and Jordan with friends in 2000, and in 2018, Lori and her close friends took Joan to Costa Rica, where she was especially delighted to see monkeys up close.
While Lori was raising her daughters in Boise, Idaho, Joan and Bob enjoyed many trips there over the years, going to the Boise River Festival, music recitals and Irish dance performances, as well as celebrating milestones and holidays together. Joan was passionate about reading and education, and many of her granddaughters’ favorite children’s books were given to them by their Nana.
In 2019, Joan moved to Morningstar Senior Living in Boise to live near Lori. Her great-granddaughter happened to be born the day she moved in, making it an extra-special day. She had a courageous, adaptable spirit and enjoyed wonderful times with family and friends over the past two and a half years.
Joan was pre-deceased by her husband of 61 years, Bob Redford, two daughters, Lynn Louise and Susan Elizabeth, and her brother, Warren Blanchard. She is survived by her daughter, Lori Redford Turner, her three granddaughters, Katie Turner, Kristine Turner, and Kimberley Johnson (Marcus), and her great-granddaughter, Juniper Johnson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Tracey Blanchard, sister-in-law Jane Fiedler Gustafson, and her nieces Lisa Fryman and Leslie Fiedler (Greer Murphy) and their children.
We will miss her presence in our lives and her beautiful smile, her heart to know God and practice thankfulness, her thoughtful commemoration of special days, and all the ways she added decor and celebration to every holiday. We extend our deep gratitude to all the amazing caregivers that helped to care for her.
There will be no formal service at her request, but notes or memories can be shared with Lori Turner at memoriesofjoanredford@gmail.com.
If desired, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens or The Pasadena Symphony Association.
