Joan Carroll Le Loup of Cherokee, CA age 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 18, 2018, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle after a brief illness.

She leaves her daughter Rose Barboza and son in law Terry, son Tom De Felice and husband John, granddaughters Desirae and Vanessa Barboza, Sister Rosemary Faso, Brother John Schwarz and wife Diane, niece Janine Calendo and wife Leslie, niece Karen Worchester and husband Dusty, nephew Tony Faso, and her beloved Rottweiler Osa.

She was preceded in death by her spouse Ray Le Loup.

A New Year’s baby, she was born to John and Hazel (Tiedemann) Schwarz on January 1st, 1943 in New York. Joan spent a great deal of time with her parents on her grandparents’ farm where her love for horses and hard work was born.

Joan broke the mold for traditionally female occupations and had a distinguished career in construction, owning her own small roofing business. As the work became more taxing on her body, she switched careers in her mid-40s and became a correctional officer for the California prison system with positions at San Quentin and Ironwood State prisons.

When she was not working, Joan loved tending to her horses and participating in gymkhana equestrian events.

Upon retirement, Joan and Ray moved to Cherokee, California where they bought several acres of land on which to build their retirement home. Ray passed before they broke ground, but Joan went ahead with the project, acting as general contractor and doing much of the work herself.

When the house was complete, Joan took a part-time position with the Chico airport as a TSA agent and worked there for a few years before truly retiring.

Joan was an incredibly helpful friend and neighbor. Never one to be idle, she always volunteered her time and expertise to help out anyone who ever needed it. Selfless in her deeds, she was nonetheless proud of the things she could do to help out. In the weeks preceding the onset of her illness, she helped a friend build a 150-foot wooden fence.

Joan loved to travel with family and got the opportunity to visit several bucket list destinations around the world during the past ten years. She visited often with her daughter Rose in Santa Rosa, CA as well as with her son Tom on Vashon Island, WA. She also made trips to Florida to visit with her sister, brother, nieces, and nephew.

Known for her positive outlook on life, her sense of humor, and her infectious smile, Joan leaves this world a better place for having been in it.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s name to Caring Veterans of America. www.caringveterans.org.