Joan Rich, 91

She spent WWII years with her mother in the University District in Seattle. She attended University Heights Elementary School and Helen Bush Boarding School. When her mother remarried in 1947, they moved to Tacoma. Joan attended Clover Park Junior High School and High School, except for her freshman year where she attended Principia in St. Louis, Missouri. She spent her first years of college at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois on the bluffs of the Mississippi River.

Joan transferred to the College of Puget Sound as a junior, pledging Tri Delta Sorority. At CPS, now the University of Puget Sound (UPS), she met Wally Rich, whom she married during their senior year. After graduation Joan taught fourth grade in Kingsburg, California while Wally got his teaching certificate at Fresno State. After moving back to Tacoma Wally did the teaching and Joan was very involved in the General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC), Juniors, Tri Delta alumni, book clubs, and Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).

Wally and Joan bought Trovanis Junior Bootery in 1973 after he had been with Nordstrom’s and Soines Shoe Stores since college, as his second profession. They moved Trovanis from downtown Tacoma to the newly built, by their son Steve, shopping center on 6th Ave. They named the center “Like The Mustard Seed”. The name was taken from the Bible verse Matthew 13:31, which came to them both while jogging. Joan continued enjoying jogging well into her 70’s. Joan was the unofficial gardener and maintenance person of the grounds and the parking lot.

In 1987, Wally and Joan moved to Gig Harbor. She continued her leadership in BSF which she began in 1984 and she gratefully enjoyed until 2017. Serving those in need was a passion of hers. She was blessed to reside in her home given to them by God on Wollochet Bay. This home became complete the the cats and dogs that she rescued. One of her greatest passions was sharing that home and its beach. She enjoyed attending church and the companionship of her numerous friends. Her faith was appreciated by many as she was considered a Prayer Warrior.

Joan and Wally had three children, sons Steve (Debi), M Scott, and daughter Sharon Olson (Roman Scott), two granddaughters, Shelby Olson and Alyssa Rich-Zajicek and one grandson, Spencer Olson. She is survived by Scott Rich, Sharon and Roman Scott Olson, granddaughters Shelby Olson and Alyssa Rich-Zajicek. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Spencer Olson (d. 1999), husband Wally (d. 2002), and her son Steve (d. 2024).

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Bible Study Fellowship in her honor:
Bible Study Fellowship
PO Box 675241
Dallas, TX 75267-5241