Joanne Marie Pearson

(DURHAM) – Joanne Marie Pearson, 68, died in her Durham home on September 25, 2021, held gently by her family. She was born on February 14, 1953 to the late Rose and Antonio Saindon.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Brion; son Sean Pearson and wife Zhang Lin; daughter Autumn Boyer and husband Andrew Boyer; grandchildren Michael, Elise, and Bennett Boyer; and brother Paul Saindon. She was preceded in death by her sisters Patricia Lyons and Katherine Saindon.

Joanne was a California girl, having been born in San Francisco and living almost all her life within one hour of the city. She had her mother’s smile and her father’s sense of humor; her street smarts and taste for adventure were fostered by her sister and brother-in-law, Patti and Noel Lyons. 

She met her husband, Brion, through mutual friends and they were married about a year later. Their forty-five years of marriage spanned married student housing at UCSF; medical mission service in Zaire; Public Health Service work in Oklahoma; child-rearing in San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Rosa; a mid-life shift to the East Bay; and finally a cross-country move to North Carolina to enjoy the grandparent life near their daughter, Autumn. Wherever she lived and whatever phase of life she was in, Joanne joined communities and fostered authentic friendships.

Although Joanne’s education and career paths were not linear, she was proud to be able to complete her college degree by attending school at night while raising her children. She worked in helping fields such as medical clinics, church offices, hospice organizations, and—pricelessly—at home, where she poured her love and skills into her children.

Engaging in her various hobbies of golf, reading, knitting, cycling, and Bible studies enabled her to cultivate friendships with women who became a great circle of support during harder times. It was a great joy for her to take home the first place ranking at a league tournament and to win the “Most Improved Golfer” award in the following year. Her children, grandchildren, and other dear ones wore her lovingly knitted gifts. She enjoyed cooking an increasingly wide variety of dishes and welcoming people to her home to enjoy her hospitality. She took pride in her home, appreciating simple and beautiful things both inside and in the garden.

Services for Joanne will be held at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham on October 1, 2021 at 11am, with visitation at 10am. Interment at Maplewood Cemetery will follow the service. Joanne requested that guests wear colorful and joyful attire in celebration of her homecoming to heaven. Out of concern for each other’s health and safety, guests are required to wear a KN-95 mask (to be provided) properly while attending the services.

In lieu of flowers, Joanne requested that gifts be made to Christ Community Church (memo: Facility Fund), PO Box 2314, Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

The Pearson family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.