Submit a PhotoIt is with heavy heart that our family announces the sudden passing of Joan Perrins, born in Great Falls, Montana to Helena and Jim Pannell, and the youngest sibling to Jim, John, and Marylane. Joan graduated from high school at Great Falls Central in 1966, Montana State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1970, and ASU with a masters degree in 1978. Joan was an educator for 31 years as both a teacher and librarian, touching many lives.
Joan met Jeff Perrins in 1967, and in Jeff’s words, ‘his life then started’. Joan and Jeff were married in Great Falls during the winter of 1971, in -15oF weather. In 2008 Joan retired and she and Jeff spent their time between Gilbert, AZ and Kalispell, MT. Together Joan and Jeff traveled to 28 different countries, and have visited most states within the US. Her favorite pastimes were reading, volunteering for different causes, golf and pickleball.
Joan leaves behind her husband Jeff, her two children, Jake and Jaynee, and grandchildren, Keera, Keegan, and Kylee. Although she is gone, she has shaped our worlds so much.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Mary’s Food Bank (https://www.firstfoodbank.org/give/), one of her supported charities, or another charity of your choosing.
A remembrance event has been scheduled at Gilbert Memorial Park (2100 E Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85297). The service has been scheduled for May 28th (Thursday) from 11-1 pm. At the service we will be sharing photos of her life and travels, and remembering Joan.
Print Obituary
Service Location
We are so sorry for your loss. We really liked Joan and she always went out of her way to say hello. She had a wonderful sense of humor and personality. She will be missed.
I met Joan 3 years ago in our Trilogy Niners league. It was love at first read…we immediately shared our love of books and travel. In the summer, she would email her favorite recent reads and I would respond in kind. My sister had lived in Kalispell after college, an engineer who worked in Glacier National Park. I shared Joan’s love of Montana as well. To say Joan will be missed is an understatement – she lit up the space around her each and every day. I will never forget that smile…she touched all who knew her in a profound, meaningful way. To her family (who I haven’t met), my deepest sympathy for your loss. Her love and light will always be with you ❤️
Joan was a very witty and creative person. Her calligraphy skills for the niners will be missed , too. Her travel experiences were very special. Golfing and pickleball skills were outstanding. She was a great friend and we will remember her friendly, happy personality.
Dear Jeff and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Joan was such a fun person. She was always interested in talking and having fun with our golf groups. She will be missed. We will be praying for comfort for you all.
Steve and Diane Pleis
I met Joan through the Niners Golf group and am so very saddened by her passing. She was the most authentic person as she had a sense of dry humor that created giggles throughout every person she met. Joan was genuine.generous,and a forever friend.
Blessings to the family and may Joan rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord!🍀🙏🏻💔
My thoughts of John are filled with love, laughter, a quit whit and always an uplifting willingness to always help out wherever possible. It was both a privilege and great blessing to have been able to know her, play with her, and serve with her! 0h how she will be missed by so many! With love, Linda Shubin
So sorry for you and your family. What a lady!!
To Jeff and Family,
We share your sorrow at this heartbreaking time. Joan was such a force of humor and goodness and wisdom. No matter where the conversation was going, Joan always had those thoughtful, quick one liners that showcased her sharp wit and her wicked sense of self deprecating humor. It also clearly showed that she was a good listener as others would share some part of their lives during our between-match-chats on the pickle ball courts. She always had us all laughing, and she always seemed amazed and somewhat surprised that she had this power to entertain all of us. I cannot believe that she is gone from us so soon. We would always have little book talks, and I enjoyed her analysis of stories and characters. We were just getting a new book group together this winter, and the group will sorely miss Joan’s input and her quick quips to lighten up the heavier discussions. Joan on the pickle ball court was another kind of force. She was really good, but never once shied away from playing with a weaker player or helping a newbie on the court. I loved playing with Joan because we always ended up laughing at our foibles and dismissing the serious side of the sport that could otherwise spoil a lovely day in the sunshine in Arizona. I cannot believe she won’t be there with us again. We are truly diminished by her passing. Mark and I cannot be with you at this time, since we are in our NY home now, but we are sending our sincere wishes that the kindness and compassion she always showed to others comes back to all of you to comfort you at this unthinkable time. We send our love and our wishes for comfort and peace.
With sincere sympathy,
Ginny and Mark Sansone
We, along with the family and friends of Joan, are crushed by the loss of Joan. From the first time we met her on the Pickleball courts we immediately loved her. She had a way of always making you feel welcome. Her quick-witted, dry sense of humor and kind personality just drew you in. Her one-liners kept us all laughing and always wanting more. Frank and I would get so excited when we got invited to their house for dinner and games as Joan and Jeff never failed to fill our tummy’s with delicious food and then entertain us at their table with games. I always knew who to go to for suggestions of good books to read. We feel honored to have enjoyed several years of friendship with Joan (and Jeff). We will treasure all the wonderful memories of times spent with her. Joan will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We send our sincere love and condolences to Jeff and family and pray that you will find comfort in knowing how much we loved her and that we are all here for you.
With love,
Nancy and Frank
It was my pleasure meeting Joan through Trilogy Niners Golf. She was one of the most creative people around. She could turn a piece of fabric into a centerpiece in the blink of an eye. We will miss your presence, wit and wonderful ideas. Sincere condolences to Jeff and the family.
Joan was a dear, dear friend, and we’ll miss her greatly We send our condolences to Jeff and her whole family. When I think of Joan, I remember the fun times we had. Evenings at theater performances, dinners together, games of Sequence, a delightful visit to Kalispell in 2016. She was a very caring person with a kind heart and a generous spirit. We have all lost a wonderful friend.
Deepest condolences to the family & friends of this kind, generous, wonderful woman. So down to earth and fun to be around, I will miss her greatly.
I am so sad to hear about Joan’s passing. She and I talked frequently about education, and specifically, literature. I enjoyed her exceptional wit and envied her wealth of knowledge about countries and cultures. And, of course, she was a terrific golfer. She was able to laugh off the bad shots and was able, too, to be humble about the good ones. A rare combination, for sure. I will miss her.
Words can’t express our sadness when we heard of Joan’s passing. She was so genuine, kind and thoughtful. She was such a wealth of information on any subject that came up. In the 4 years that we have known her she became our good friend, travel companion and our tour guide on many trips to places she knew we would enjoy. Joan and Jeff became our golf buddies and we especially enjoyed our time on the 19th hole. We were fortunate to spend a wonderful few days last summer at their home in Montana. We loved hearing their many stories. After hearing them sing Frankie Laine tunes, we became fans. We can’t imagine her not being in Arizona when we return in January. We have been so fortunate that Joan came into our life. We will miss her dearly and will always appreciate the time we spent with her. Rest In Peace Joan.
Jeff, our hearts reach out to you.
Pat and Sue Corcoran
My thought are with Jeff and their family at this sad time. I knew Joan through Niners golf. On one occasion Joan forgot her putter. I was paired with her that day and soon my putter became “our” putter. She did well with “out ” putter and asked for one like it for Christmas. It was a fun day. I admired her and Jeff’s hunger for travel. She had a great smile and quit wit. She will be missed.
We will truly miss you Joan, your wit and profound ability to make us laugh was beyond measure. I will never forget your humility on the pickleball courts, as you never knew how good you really were! It was always a pleasure to play with you, you were kind and generous to a fault. We are both sharing in your sorrow Jeff and family, with Love and Friendship
Dee and Paul Rawson
We worked with Joan at Taylor Jr. High. Such a dedicated, fun and great lady! Loved working with her. She will be missed. Prayers that you feel God’s presence during this difficult time!
How we’ll miss that great smile! Joan brought life and humor and kindness and generosity wherever she happened to be – in our foursomes at the Links and the happy hour after; in her eagerness to share her latest book find; in her creativity in putting together (with Jeff) amazing centerpieces for the niners golf league; and in her sense of adventure and travel. Living in the valley for a good part of her life, she was familiar with places and events that we’d never have known about without her willingness to share. She was a great golf companion and a fun pickleball player who was always trying to improve her game while never taking it too seriously – she just loved to play and enjoyed the competition and companionship. Joan was such a dear friend and will be so missed. Our sincerest heartfelt sympathies and love to Jeff.
Our deepest sympathy to the Perrins family. We cannot express how sad we are and how we will miss Joan. We had wonderful times together on the golf course and the pickleball courts. Their visit to us in Michigan was the highlight of our summer. We shared our love of books and a good sense of humor. She will remain in our hearts and prayers always.
Jeff and family, our condolences to all of you for the loss of the love of your lives. Bill and I so enjoyed the short time we got to spend with Joan, her telling of the Perrin’s adventures and those of her family. I will never forget how a gleam came into her eyes when she spoke about her mother’s daring frontier exploits in Montana. We wanted to hear more! But now, the two of them are trying to outdo each other in the telling of their exciting earthly experiences! She helped us laugh, listen and learn. We love and miss you, Joan, until we meet again.
Debbie and Bill Gaston
Dave and I worked with Joan for many years at Taylor Junior High, she was a terrific educator, librarian, colleague and friend. We are so sorry for your loss.
I sit here at the computer wondering what I can possibly say or write that has not been said. Sometimes it seems that the English language for all of its words available to us falls short in the expressions of sorrow and emotional pain. We did not know Joan as well as many others here in our community but it was always a treat when we found that we were playing pickle ball against or with Joan. She even made losing fun.
She and Jeff welcomed us into their home for dinner a few summers ago as we traveled to Alaska. And without even thinking about it she included us in their plans to attend a summer show at a local theatre group. No airs, no pretensions…just you are here, you are friends, join us. She made everyone comfortable and feel as if you were family. Having Joan and Jeff in the Sunday’s couples golf meant that unless you were golfing with them you were probably not going to win, but with their down to earth smiles and easy going nature they accepted the ribbing.
When I joined the Ladies Niners at Trilogy, Joan was one of the first people I took notice of. She volunteered readily and often for events and activities. Her talents and “lets get it done” attitude meant she was one of the first names I learned and remembered. Her name and her spirit of adventure will not easily be forgotten.
Rest in Peace Joan, you added interest to many lives and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family for the strength to get through this difficult and unexpected time.
I worked with Joan at Taylor Jr High. I always enjoyed her sense of humor and her dedication to our students. To this day, I have countless notes from Joan she had written to my gymnasts and dancers following their performances. She would compliment them on their skill, applaud their showmanship, and usually make a funny remark about how she would never dare to attempt a cartwheel! The kids and I always appreciated her support. She made a difference at Taylor! My sincere sympathy to your family for your loss.
It was heartbreaking to hear of Joan’s passing.It was a privilege to be her friend. Her dedication to the Niner’s was evident in every way. She was our Johnny on the spot! We always knew Joan’s creativity and enthusiasm was relied upon in many cases to make our activities special! Her sense of humor, love of travel, and reading was reflected in all she did. I will miss her dearly. Love and prayers go out to Jeff and their children during this difficult time.
There are no words to express our sadness at the sudden loss of Joan. Joan and Jeff were a match made in heaven! We so enjoyed their company on many occasions. They took us under their wings as we ventured to Montana, for summers, 3 years ago. We will never forget all the many fun times we had!! We are especially grateful that you shared your Pickleball Family in Montana with us! What a wonderful time we had every Thursday and Saturday! We loved the many nights of dinner and games, being had in your beautiful home, with all the creative things you and Jeff put together from your trips to local rummage sales! We so enjoyed the Theater nights in Big Fork and the Rodeo’s, just to mention a few of our memorable times! But mostly Joan I am going to miss you! You taught me so much about the real meaning of life! Your kindness, quick wit, generosity and ability to make people feel welcome are just a few of your many qualities that will be missed! We send our deepest sympathy to you Jeff and your family! Find comfort in knowing you were blessed with a wonderful wife and Mother, cherish the amazing blessing of Joan! You will be missed Joan more than we could ever put into words! You made our world a better place. Rest In Peace, Dear Friend!
Linda and Jim Bronson
Thinking of you both on this sad and yet joyful day. Joan knew what life was about and enjoyed it with all her many friends. We looked up to you both and loved spending time whether it was on the the courts or course or gaming or just plain ole social distancing. Take care my friend and we’ll see you Jeff in December to catch up.
Kris & Jim Goodwin