Joan Emily Wilson

Obituary Joan Emily Wilson 5/15/1937 ~ 11/3/2014 Joan was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, to Walter William Wilson and Julia Leahy Wilson. Doris and Marjorie were her older sisters and preceded her in death. Joan attended Plainfield Public Schools. She completed her Bachelor and Masters degrees at Ohio State in 1966. This was her first real time away from home and she enjoyed meeting other graduate students. After her time at OSU, she went on to the University of Washington where she taught for two years at a program she referred to as "full of stars" of the nursing world. Joan joined the faculty at Everett Community College in 1968 and continued there until she moved to Tacoma Community College in 1972 where she was instrumental in starting the nursing program. She taught there for 24 years and directed the program for 12 years. Joan retired from TCC in 1996. In addition to her teaching and administrative duties, Joan was president of the TCC Federation of Teachers and was the chief negotiator for faculty contracts. Governor Spellman appointed Joan to the Washington State Board of Nursing in 1982 where she was President of the Board for two of her five years there. Joan also did mediation work for the Nursing Care Commission of Washington and the Small Claims Court of Pierce County. Joan loved to ski, golf, and play Mah Jong with the many friends she made wherever she went. She started in Washington with no boating experience, but soon became a valuable shipmate to Dave on their many trips to Hood Canal for shrimp, the San Juan Islands for crab and just cruising around. Joan is survived by her much loved husband, David Swift; step-sons, Tom Sr. and John Swift; grandson, Tom Swift, Jr.; nieces and nephews from the Wilson side of her family, Diane Barsce, Bruce and Chuck Mackay, Barbara Prezlock and Linda Coella; and many nursing friends from school and work. The family would like to give special recognition to the physicians who cared for her through these last years: Dr. Anthony DeSalvo in Hawaii and Dr. Frank Senecal in Tacoma. At Joan's request no services will be held. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.