Obituary of Joanne Wallbridge

Joanne Marie Wallbridge passed away peacefully in her home in Cottonwood, Arizona on March 8, 2021. She was born in Santa Ana, California on March 28, 1932 to John and Blanche (Hillman) Planchon. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Gary, in 2009, as well as her parents, sister Donna, and brother David. Joanne spent her youth in Santa Ana where she attended Santa Ana High School. After graduation, Joanne enrolled in Los Angeles County School of Nursing, where she became a R.N., specializing in Pediatrics. After graduating, Joanne met her husband, Gary, at a Marine Corps dance. They spent the next ten years living in Washington, Japan, and New York, after which they returned to Santa Ana, where they raised their family. Upon retirement, they bought their 5th-wheel, traveling to all of the lower 50 states. During this time, they fell in love with the high desert and decided to move to Cottonwood, AZ, where Joanne’s love for ceramics really took off. It didn’t matter if she was throwing on a wheel or creating her masterpieces from molds, Joanne was in her element. Besides ceramics, Joanne was a huge 49ers fan. Joanne loved all animals, but she had a soft spot in her heart for cats, especially the feral cats that congregated around her home. Not only did she feed them, provide shelter, and give them names, she spayed/neutered every one she was able to - the cat woman of Cottonwood. Joanne also loved her crossword puzzles and See’s chocolates. Joanne is survived by her three children: Lori Wallbridge, Terri (Tino) Cervantes, and Jerry Wallbridge, eight grandsons, and ten great-grandchildren, sister Susan (Don) Dart, and many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her dear friend Pattie H, and her ceramics friends from Yavapai College. Many thanks to Joanne’s main caregivers: Sebra, Cindy, Linda, & Nancy, as well as the staff of Northern Arizona Hospice.