Joan Eileen Evans

September 4, 1929 – March 19, 2026

Joan Evans, a fierce and loving matriarch devoted to her family, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026, at the age of 96. Born in Utica, New York, Joan was a woman of remarkable spirit and independence. In a move that defined her courageous nature, she traveled across the country with three small children in tow in the early 1950s to build a new life in California.

A familiar and beloved presence in her San Diego neighborhood, Joan was known for walking everywhere—having never had a driver’s license in her life. She was a steady presence on the local sidewalks, always ready with a friendly word or quick conversation. Joan balanced her connection to her community with a dedicated career, working various jobs throughout her life and finally retiring from CalTrans after more than 25 years.

As a single mother, Joan raised six children with unwavering strength and determination. Her family was the center of her world, and nothing brought her more joy than time spent with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild—her “grandbabies,” whom she loved deeply and spoke of often.

Joan’s life was deeply rooted in her Catholic faith. Over the years, she was a devoted parishioner at Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Vincent’s, and later St. Michael’s Catholic Church. At St. Vincent’s, she also served as a Eucharistic minister, a role she carried out with quiet reverence and dedication. Her faith was not only something she practiced each Sunday, but something she lived daily through kindness, generosity, and a feisty sense of humor that stayed with her until the very end.

Joan also had a love for music and singing. In her younger years, she was a proud member of Sweet Adeline's Women's Chorus, sharing her voice and joy with others. An avid reader, she was rarely without a book—especially a thriller by her favorite author, James Patterson. In those earlier years, the scent of her famous homemade bread filled her home, a warm tradition her family continues to cherish.

Joan is survived by her 7 children, 19 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Her legacy of resilience, faith, and deep love for her family will live on in the stories shared by all who knew and loved her.

A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 15546 Pomerado Road, Poway, CA 92064. The Rosary will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow.