July 6, 1935 – June 30, 2012
After blessing us with her guidance, love and support, our mother, JoAn Marjorie Tjulander Haverstock, rejoined our late father, her beloved husband, Russell Ernest Haverstock, on June 30, 2012.
Born to Victor and Myrtle Tjulander on July 6, 1935, in South Gate, Calif., JoAn joined her brother, Edward, as part of a loving nuclear and extended family. Her childhood days in Lynnwood were spent with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents on both sides of the family. With her family, JoAn went on many trips around the United States and Mexico, and found that travel suited her.
In 1956, JoAn met the love of her life, Russell Haverstock. They married on Dec. 29, 1956, and began a family of their own. Whether our father went hunting or skin diving, our mother was not one to be left behind. JoAn became an expert at washing up five rambunctious children, producing amazing meals out of an ice chest and a camp stove, and raising her children to combine common sense with our strong love of exploration. JoAn and Russell traveled the length and breadth of the Pacific Ocean while he followed his passion for skin diving and she followed her passion for adventure, with family in tow.
Once all five of her children were in elementary school, JoAn returned to school herself, becoming a registered nurse. She began her career as a floor nurse in the neuroscience unit at Sacramento County Hospital (which would become the UC Davis Medical Center), and worked her way up to nurse manager, hospital supervisor and finally to nurse liaison in risk management. Once retired, JoAn worked part time for the American Red Cross and Yolo Hospice.
When Russell became ill, she took time off to care for him. Upon his death, she showed us how to move forward despite the loss of her soulmate. JoAn learned to travel on her own and took many trips to far-flung countries, such as, Russia, Tanzania, India and Peru, making friends wherever she went.
One of JoAn’s passions became quilting. What began on a whim became a full-time retirement project. The family and many of our mother’s dear friends were the lucky recipients of these handmade treasures, created and passed on in love. She also created and donated many quilts for hospitalized children, the Vannucci Wallace Shelter, as well as other charitable organizations.
As much as JoAn enjoyed the art of creating her quilts, she also cherished the friendships she formed with her fellow quilters, especially her “Tuesday Group,” and the pride she had in the granddaughters who began to create their own beautiful quilts.
JoAn was delighted to become a grandmother, spending hours with each and every grandchild, and they all adored her. As they graduated from high school, each grandchild accompanied JoAn on a trip somewhere in the world — Alaska, Hungary, Hawaii and China — where they bonded and explored.
JoAn Haverstock is survived by her five children, David (Audrey) Haverstock, Nancy (Hans) Abplanalp, Linda (Sam) Citron, Eric Haverstock and Carol (Jerry) Kinkennon; and her nine grandchildren, Amber, Cara and Russell Haverstock; Mike, Alex and Nick Abplanalp; Kelly Haverstock; and Hadley and Zevik Citron. She is also survived by her dear brother, Edward (Delora) Tjulander; brother-in-law Jim Brodbeck; and nieces and nephews, Cheryl (Juan) and Kirk Tjulander, Debbie Katz, and Susan and Doug Brodbeck.
JoAn’s last months were spent in the company of her children and grandchildren, who provided the daily support needed to accomplish her final request, to die at home surrounded by her loving family. The family wishes to thank her wonderful home health aides and UC Davis Hospice for the care and assistance that the provided our mother during this time.
Our mother loved a series of dogs that she owned over the years, culminating in her dear little dogs, Stella and Mickey, who offered their complete and unwavering support throughout our mother’s life with them. My mother adopted each from the shelter and they were her treasured companions.
Mother, you will always be missed, but the lessons of love, adventure and family that you instilled in us will be carried far beyond this generation. We owe you so much and are delighted that you are now back in the arms of the family that left before you.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UC Davis Hospice at http://Www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/giving/donations/online.html or The Road Home K9 Rescue at PMB #125, 1520 E. Covell Blvd., Suite B5, Davis, CA 95616 or through their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TheRoadHomeK9Rescue.
Please join us at a memorial service to honor our mother on Sunday, July 29, at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 27074 Patwin Road in Davis.