Joan Kay Rohm

Joan Kay Kilpatrick Rohm Ouellette was born at home in Canyon City, January 29th, 1939, to Blanche Bernadine Johnson Kilpatrick and LeRoy Judson “Roy” Kilpatrick. She died peacefully in her own bed on November 23rd, 2016 at the untimely age of 77.

Joan was a woman of superlatives: for most people, she was by far the most vital, bravest, and most intelligent person they would ever meet. She was a person of intense convictions, a fiercely devoted Mother and Grandmother, an Atheist & yet an Animist, a lover of Liberty & Chaos (and Fire!), and an unrepentant all-around mischief-maker with an extremely irreverent sense of humor.

She loved to travel anywhere, anytime, all over our planet, from Beijing to Machu Picchu, Morocco (on a camel) to Stuttgart (to pick up her honeymoon Mercedes), Petra to Chichen Itza, every ocean, most seas, and six of the seven continents. Her favorite travel companion for decades was Sandra Lee “Sandy” Thompson Stallcup, R.I.P.

Joan was a voracious reader throughout her life, typically a book or two a day — after reading everything in the John Day library, she moved to Portland to attend Reed College at the age of 16.

She was an avid gardener, once planting 5,000 gladiolus bulbs (she’d ordered 500) and then delivering those flowers throughout Grant County and to friends across the country.

Joan was an accomplished horsewoman, a graceful skier, a keen marksman, a windsurfer & whitewater rafter, and a gifted artist in ephemeral and lasting media.

After the passing of her parents, and then her beloved older sister Gayl Kilpatrick Pope, Joan became the keystone of a large and loving family. We are all the better for having known her, and she will of course live forever in our hearts.

Joan is survived by her ultimate beloved Airedale Zoe, her siblings Dorcas Helen Kilpatrick Tapper, Earl Wayne Kilpatrick (Carol), and Patrick Michael Kilpatrick (Cindy), her two adoring & bereft sons, William Anton Rohm and Michael Tigger Rohm, her exceptional daughter-in-law Susan Marie Reid Rohm, Tigger & Sue’s contribution of two fine grandchildren, Zuriah Judson Rohm and Sela Ylan Rohm, and a wonderful host of nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A Mom-morial celebration will be held at Mount Vernon Grange Hall on Saturday the 17th of December from 2pm to 7pm. Everyone who knew Joan is welcome.

Paid for by the family of Joan Kay Rohm.