Joan Esther Gathings, age 80, passed away on August 28, 2018 in Clermont, Florida. She was born on December 29, 1937 in Seattle, Washington to Ernest "Boppie" Van Houten and Esther Marsh. Joan graduated from Bremerton High School with the class of 1956. On August 1, 1974, she married Alton "Al" Gathings in Kent, Washington. They resided in the Pacific Northwest until they retired to Clermont, Florida in 1984.

Joan truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures by socializing with family and friends and desiring to make people feel loved. As a member of Open Door Baptist Church for three decades, she worked in various ministries, but was particularly involved in the Mary and Martha ministry, an outreach for widows in the church community. She also enjoyed playing piano and leading sing-alongs at a local nursing home for the residents. She always held an affinity for old hymns. Joan remained committed to staying in contact with her classmates from high school as she continued to send the newsletter for the Bremerton High School Reunion Committee, as well as attending her class reunion in Washington every five years. She also enjoyed genealogy and was a founding member of the Clermont Pathfinders.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Al Gathings. When Joan and Al married, they blended their children together from two families and Joan loved them all as her own. She is survived by her sister, Myrna Campbell; her nine children, Ed Doyle, Ernie Doyle, Cory Doyle, Carolyne Hilecke, Marilynn Ingram, Tina Wickstrom, Pat Gathings, Vanessa Seidita, and Dolly Ballard. She was also blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The service will be on Friday, September 7 ^th , at Open Door Baptist Church (17140 US-27, Clermont, FL 34715) at 10 am. The burial will follow the service.

• Prepared by her granddaughter Erika