Joanne Cecelia Phillips died peacefully on Sept. 16, 2022, at age 87, surrounded by her family. She was born in Raymond, Washington on Sept. 4, 1935, to Clifford “Klib” Sharnes and Lucille (Carl) Sharnes.

Joanne graduated from Raymond High School and attended Seattle University.

She married Jack Phillips in 1956 and welcomed daughters Lorri, Patti and Joni and a son, John, before the family moved to Tacoma, Washington.

After several years as a homemaker and parent volunteer in her children’s schools, she worked for the Tacoma Municipal Court system as a legal assistant while helping her husband launch a successful radiator repair business.

She and Jack enjoyed restoring a 1951 Ford Victoria, a replica of his first car and traveling to car shows. She was very generous with her time for many groups but was especially proud of her time volunteering with the Tacoma Southeast Lions Club, collecting thousands of pairs of glasses for the Northwest Eyeglass Recycling program. She spent many hours crocheting and quilting, making personalized baby blankets for her eight grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren and hats for people in need.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, parents Klib and Lucille Sharnes and grandparents, John and Zophia Sharnes, Joe and Julie Beten, and Ed and Exorea Spiegelberg. She is survived by her four children: Lorri (David) Cardenas, Patti Phillips, Joni (Steve) Firth and John Phillips; sisters Judy Sharnes and Jerie (Mike) Armstrong; her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Edwards Memorial, 11020 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, Washington. In lieu of flowers, a remembrance in her name may be made to the Tacoma Southeast Lions Club, the Northwest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center or a charity of your choice.