Dear Family and Friends,
Our amazing mother Joan passed away peacefully with family at her side on August 6th. We are filled with sorrow but comforted by a life so well lived with an over-abundance of love. These last few years were filled with adventure and her “bucket list” was completed, including last year’s trip to the fjords in Norway and this year’s trip to the Bahamas with her brother Phil and his wife Chiquis on Chris and Bob’s boat.
It’s hard to believe it was 2 1/2 years ago that Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. For two of those years she was unstoppable, traveling the world and continuing to entertain guests in her beautiful home on the North Shore. The last few months, she lived in Santa Barbara to be close to all her California relatives including her grandchildren, baby great-granddaughter, and step great-grandchildren. She was also the adopted grandmother to many close family friends. The Bebb and Bohm families in the Bay Area were able to visit often, and Phil and Chiquis were with us at her side as she passed away.
A note she received from friends a few months ago said it best in describing her: “Your courage, dignity, wonderful humor and incredible inner strength are giving all of us who know you such an awesome example to try to emulate as we face hardships in our own lives.” Another dear friend in Seattle arranged for a star to be named in her honor , so soon you will be able to look up the location of the constellation with the Joan C. Bebb star in the International Star Registry.
We will deeply miss her warm smile, wit, charm and grace. She genuinely cared about other people’s lives and always valued her lifetime friendships. She always loved well and was well-loved in return.
There will be two memorial services for Joan; one in California and one in Hawaii. The service in Santa Barbara will be held on August 29 at All Saints-by-the Sea Episcopal Church at 2:00 p.m. followed by a “Celebration of Joan” at the Emmons' home.
Another celebration honoring our beloved mother will be held on her beach at the North Shore of Oahu on September 26 at 5:00 p.m. so we can enjoy one of the sunsets she so treasured.
If you would like to send a donation in her honor rather than flowers, please consider the Santa Barbara Visiting Nurse Hospice Care, the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara or one of the many organizations she supported including the Smile Train.
Many thanks for the love and friendship you gave her.
Her loving children,
Chris, Laurie and Simon
5 comments:
Simon, Laurie & Chris:
I am incredibly sad to learn of Joan's passing.
I will miss the opportunity to sit on her lanai and attempt (unsuccessfuly, always) to beat her at Scrabble; but most of all I will miss her incredible energy and joy of life in the year or so that I knew her.
My prayers go out to you and for family, and most of all for the repose of her soul.
Tom McLaughlin
Honolulu, Hawaii
This is very, very sad news, even though we've been expecting it for some time. To fight the fight Joan so courageously fought for two and a half years is typical of the way Joan lived her life; from an early age fighting polio to now.
In between she left a trail of love so freely given and received, that it is no wonder she has been a much loved surrogate mum to many people around the world.
She has left an awesome legacy to those of us left behind, showing the power of love so freely and energetically given. She has left the world a better place for her having lived in it.
Vale Joan Bebb
The Australian Bebbs
Geoff, David and Phil Bebb, Kath and Rob Reid, Rachael and Glenn Shiell, Judy and Doug Cameron.
Joan will be missed by anyone that knew her. Joan had a strong influence on me as a very young mom. I met her in Naples, Italy while she and Ken lived near my in-laws, Lucy and Jack Fenton. Being young and naive, I was amazed at how much fun folks of "that age" could have! Now that I am well past "that age" I would expect she was one of the unusual seniors that never lost her sense of fun and positive attitude. She had such a great sense of humor and determination to make things happen ... I will never forget her.
Although our visits were infrequent through the years I always loved receiving her holiday card with the news of she and her family.
My best to all of you as you go through this difficult time.
Warmly,
Bonnie Fenton
Dover Delaware
Some of my most cherished childhood memories include times spent with the Bebb family. Both of your parents were so much fun to be around, even during the turbulent teen years. From Hawaii, to Northern Virginia, to Europe - good times. My thoughts are with you all.
FOND MEMORIES OF KEN AND JOAN BEBB - October 27, 1995
The year 1974 began a new and exciting chapter in my life for it was the year that Ken and Joan Bebb became part of my life's journey. Like many before and many after me, we met at the DarLani Apartment-Hotel at 254 Kaiulani Avenue in Waikiki, Hawaii. I came to Hawaii for a vacation from Feasterville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for my third straight year and decided to explore on my own instead of having a formal tour like the 2 previous years. I was casually looking around for a place to stay when I happened upon the Darlani, owned and managed by Ken and Joan. I talked with Joan awhile and learned that there were no vacancies. However, she decided that I had an honest face and rented me the room behind her office, usually reserved for their own use. That set the stage for an event that Ken, Joan, and I will always remember for it sparked the beginning of our long friendship.
One morning I hopped out of bed and suddenly realized that all was not as it should be! The floor upon which I stood was covered with water; the hot water heater had sprung a leak and water was running out the front door! My two year old camera bag was nearby on the floor. Ken and Joan arrived to assess the situation and soon had everything under control. Ken took my camera bag, dried it out and glued the bottom portion that had separated during the mishap. I still have that camera bag today.
Ken and Joan introduced me to sailing that year, a custom they have shared with many a renter over the years. They had a small Stiletto that was easy to maintain and fun to sail. This was just one of many sailing adventures I was to enjoy in the years ahead as our friendship grew stronger. We were destined to sail the seas off Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and Kaneohe in the "Polynesian Concept" and "Other Places". 
During the seventies I continued to return to the Darlani as my home base for vacations and came to realize that Ken and Joan were very special. They were always there to help me in any way they could. Each time I visited, I enjoyed a nice sail with them before leaving the islands. They shared their Aloha to the fullest extent possible, and allowed me to use the Darlani as a Hawaii residence for job applications. They would forward mail to me at my Pennsylvania address.
The eighties marked the fulfillment of a dream. I moved to Hawaii on January 19, 1982. Through the years since then, Ken and Joan have continued to share their warmth and Aloha by treating me as another member of their family, as my second parents. A special treat for me in the early nineties was to join them in a family picnic held by their son, Simon, and wife Yuko, with Chris and Bob, Lori and Skip and all the grand children. I was the group photographer for their family portrait.
Ken and Joan possess a special magnetism that seems to draw people to them. On this joyous occasion when Ken and Joan are celebrating the past fifty years and focusing on the future I join with their friends who have gathered from afar to rejoice with them and wish them clear skies, calm seas, and smooth sailing into and throughout their sunset years. Mahalo nui loa for your friendship the past twenty-one years. Aloha Ken and Joan.

Ken's last Hawaiian sunset was on March 5, 2003, exactly 21 years to the day that my dad died.
Joan's last Hawaiian sunset was on April 29, 2009, and she left us the day before my older brother's birthday.
My mom died December 12, 2001, and I'm reliving that event all over again. Sitting on the lanai or in Joan's home just isn't the same without her warmth, affection and love.
I wish you clear skies, warm seas, and smooth sailing into the sunset. My fondest aloha and farewell Joan. Aloha O'e
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