Joan Marie (Bishop) Balenzano

The youngest of 4 children, Joan was born in Sprague, WA on November 11, 1940, and left us on August 17, 2024. In high school, she met the love of her life, Nick Balenzano, from the neighboring town of Lamont. Joan earned her BA in Teaching from Whitworth in Spokane, and taught 4th grade at Madison Elementary. Joan and Nick married in 1964 on the same day Nick graduated from UW dental school.

The Balenzano household was always abuzz with friends and family. Joan opened her door to all, hosting large gatherings and providing a traditional pasta meal at a moment's notice. She would say she was an Italian by "osmosis," and no one could argue. She was an integral part of the Tertian Program through Gonzaga University.

In 1989, Joan unexpectedly became a widow at age 48. She pivoted her life from "at home mom", earning her master's degree in chaplaincy from Gonzaga University and began a career as a Chaplain at Sacred Heart Medical Center. She touched many lives with her wisdom and compassion, sharing her gifts with families in their times of need. Joan started a prayer group with members of St. Thomas More parish that continues to gather after 35 years. Joan was a prayerful person who lived her faith and was a mentor to many. Her life was a testament to the power of God's love working through us.

Joan's most joyful job was being 'Grammy' to her 10 grandchildren. Grammy's house was full of love, food, and acceptance. Grammy was always available to babysit, drive kids to activities, take them to movies, or simply sit and read a book or listen to their hopes and dreams. Grammy had a dry sense of humor, but couldn't tell a joke, which of course made her laugh even more! She wrote 'real letters' to them so they could receive mail. She had a knack for "seeing" every one of them as an individual and celebrated their differences, their talents and their personalities.

If you were lucky enough to know Joan, you indeed were blessed.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Nick, and her nephew, Paul Wilson. She was the last living member of her family (her dad, mom, 2 brothers and 1 sister). She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Jon and Nancy Balenzano (Chris and Sarah), Susan and Byron Wright (Rachel, Davis, Julia and Jamie) Catherine and Shane Miller (Elijah, Tucker and Milo) and Dave and Amy Balenzano (Athena). She is also survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Don Wilson, as well as many nephews and nieces.

If you feel called to honor Joan, please reach out your hand to others in friendship and fellowship, say a prayer of thanksgiving to God, and smile freely at those you interact with. If you are called to honor her memory with a monetary donation, please consider a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. (A memorial fund has been set up in her name at Stjude.org) https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/Memorials/Memorials?px=8480788&pg=personal&fr_id=154020