Joan Stavig Obituary

Joan Stavig

Joan was born in New Jersey, May 22, 1934, to George Stanley Williams and Mary Smith Williams, of the Franklin County, VA, area. She grew up and went to school in Washington, DC, where she spent six years in night school classes at GWU, Corcoran Art School, and International School of Interior Design. She treasured her summer visits to family farms in Virginia over the years. In 1960, she moved to San Francisco to expand her career in business interior design. Joan did well in her field, and loved the Bay Area, her life and friends there, including meeting and marrying the love of her life, Gordon Stavig, in 1980. Besides a happy marriage, Joan and Gordon shared a home in Seattle and in the hills of Oakland, CA, dividing their time between the two. They both worked hard and enjoyed doing so. They liked traveling, particularly to Maui and to Italy, and enjoyed taking family with them.

Joan was battling her fourth cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia, when she died, and felt fortunate to have lived so long and so well. She was happy, active, independent, and artistic, with an upbeat outlook on life and a love of laughter. She felt honored by the love and attention of her husband's family and was devoted to her family in Virginia. Her beloved husband, Gordon, predeceased her; but she is survived by his three children, Art (Annette), Tracy King (David), Steven; eight step-grandchildren; five great-step-grandchildren; two double-first cousins, Kenny and Nelson Smith in Virginia; as well as numerous other cousins.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Boones Chapel Church-Brethren. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 12 p.m., with Pastor Michael Gallimore officiating. Burial will follow the service at Boones Chapel Church-Brethren Cemetery.

Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, Martinsville, VA, is serving the Stavig family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.