Obituary of Joan Dunaway

Our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Joan Bremer Dunaway, 58 years old, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2012. She fought a brave battle of cancer. Joan considered her life to be very fulfilling. Shewas born on December 26, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan. Joan lived her childhood in Wisconsin and Illinois . When she was 19 years old , she headed West with her mother (Norma Bremer) and younger sister (Jan{Bremer} Petteway) on an exciting journey. They chose to make beautiful Santa Barbara their home in 1974. Joan attended Santa Barbara City College and UCSB, graduating with highest honors with a degree in Chemistry. Joan worked primarily in Goleta at Raytheon and Maripro as a Technical Program Manager. Her natural leadership abilities, good sense of humor, problem solving and mentoring skills contributed to a rewarding and fulfilling career of 25 years. Joan moved up to the Lake Nacimiento area after her health forced her into early retirement. Joan loved the beauty and peace the area offers. Always an avid reader, she usually had a book in her hand. Once retired, she took up water color painting and learned to play the violin, taught by Sharon, a valued and entrusted friend. As much as Joan enjoyed her hobbies, friends and family were always her primary focus. She had a heart of gold and always had something funny and interesting to say. She was a woman who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and voiced her opinions eloquently and brilliantly. Joan adored her 85 year old mother. She loved spending time with her niece, Alana Petteway. They shared a special bond and seemingly, Joan passed her witty, sometimes sarcastic, always quick and funny sense of humor to her niece. Joan and her sister, Jan, were best friends and kindred spirits. Joan is survived by her mother, Norma Bremer; her sister, Jan Petteway; her niece, Alana Petteway; and many friends. To honor Joan’s life, she asked that her friends consider a donation to ASAP Cat Shelter, PO Box 357, Goleta, CA 93116.