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Joann Pearl Gibson, age 86, passed peacefully on Feb 11, 2023 in Yelm, Washington. She was born in Los Angeles, California. She is survived by her son Jeffrey (Laura), her two grandchildren, Jason (Jacklyn) and Shelly (Christopher) Black, and 4 great-grand children. She is also survived by her brother Daniel (Marilyn) Kaplan. Joann was born in Los Angeles but moved to Seattle, WA for 2 years during WW2. After the war, Joann and her family moved back to LA. Joann graduated from Garfield High School in 1955. She married and had 2 sons. Eventually the marriage did not work out and Joann moved on. 

Joann was an amazing woman! She began her career in finance with Beneficial Finance Company in Whittier, CA where she worked until she was offered the oppertunity to manage Vernado Credit Union. Vernado was taken over by FedMart and the credit union was relocated to San Diego. Joann led that credit union until she became the CEO of Grossmont Federal Credit Union. Grossmont FCU eventually became Sharp Federal Credit Union serving the Sharp healthcare system in San Diego. Joann was very innovative and grew the credit union into a strong financial institution. She was also very active with the health care community. In 2001, Sharp FCU merged into Cabrillo CU where Joann remained CEO of the Sharp divison. Joann was loved and well regarded by her peers in the CU movement and was always willing to assist others with their needs. Her contributions were many and she left a void when she retired in 2012 after a 30 year career in San Diego.

After retirement she was able to travel more and to be around her family. She was able to help take care of her great-grandson (Jeremy) also. She moved up to Yelm, WA in 2017 to be closer to her family. Joann never imagined she would return to Washington!

Joann resided at Easthaven Memory Care Center. Joann was always letting the staff know how to run the place because of all her managerial skills. Joann always let you know, "If you put $5 in a savings account everytime you get paid, it will build up faster than you'll know and you will even earn interest!". Additionally, in the business world she would tell colleagues about the, "Seven P's of Business"

In lieu of a service, Joann requested her ashes be scattered in her beloved "San Dee A Go" bay.