Joan M. Navolynski's Obituary
Joan M. Johnson Blackburn Navolynski was born on Jan. 8, 1941, in Centralia, Wash. She left this earth, hand In hand with Jesus, on Nov. 26, 2012, after fighting a courageous 20-year battle with pulmonary hypertension.
Her family moved to Onalaska, Wash., finally settling In St. Helens when she was a year old.
Joan married Ernest Blackburn during spring break of her senior year and graduated from St. Helens High School in June 1959.
Joan volunteered at St. Vincent's Hospital, worked at TechTronics in Portland. In 1988, she graduated from travel school and has worked as a cruise agent for Azumano Travel until her retirement this year.
Joan loved her family most, followed by traveling, gardening, decorating her home, and her furry, spoiled companions: Zephyr, Tucker and Tanner.
She traveled the world with her beloved husband of 45 years, visiting Europe, South America, and other exciting and exotic places.
Joan is preceded in death by her father, Roy Johnson; her mother, Bedelia Johnson Nystrom; her first husband, Ernest Blackburn; brother Curt Johnson, and son Kory Blackburn.
She leaves behind her loving husband Wayne; children, Mike Navolynski, Tari Semmler, Julie Thompson, Faith Mohr, Angela Gilbreath, Joni Thurber and Joe Devine; also 21 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1, 500-plus foster children and one bathroom!.
Joan touched so many lives and she will be so missed, not only by her family but also her "Bing" buddies, her cruise companions, her extended family and her widespread circle of friends. Her family thanks you all for your love, prayers and support
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