It is with great sadness that the family of Joanne announces her passing, following a long courageous battle with cancer. Joanne peacefully returned to the Lord surrounded by her loving family and dear friends.
Joanne was born to Naple and Jovan Bell. Her younger brother, Don, was born five years later. In Texas, Joanne developed her love of horses, animals, and country living. Following their parents' divorce in the early 1950s, Joanne and Don moved with their mother to Santa Monica, Ca. In 1958, Joanne graduated from Santa Monica High School where, despite her Texas accent and country ways, she was a popular student, active in school politics, a flag twirler, and a member of the Sargenettes Marching Team.
While attending Santa Monica City College, Joanne married her high school sweetheart, James Knapp and the couple moved to Simi Valley, CA. In 1961, their first son Roger was born followed by son, Richard, in 1964.
In 1971, Joanne and James Knapp divorced and she and her two sons relocated to San Jose, CA. In order to provide a better life for her children, Joanne pursued a degree in English and Business at San Jose State New College. Overcoming the challenges of being a single parent and supporting 2 children while attending college, Joanne successfully graduated with a B.A. in Education and a Teaching Credential.
Joanne's degree afforded her the opportunity to do what she loved most and did best – teach, mentor, guide and support others. She initially worked as a substitute teacher and then taught kindergarten. While she loved working with children, she ultimately made her greatest educational contribution while teaching GED in High School Subjects in Metropolitan Adult Education. It was there that she mentored so many young adults for whom a high school diploma seemed unattainable. Joanne not only provided them the support, encouragement and guidance they needed to succeed in school, she also managed to develop a program whereby students could acquire one year's worth of the academic skills they needed in only one month of classroom time. This program successfully graduated over 600 students, an accomplishment of which Joanne was very proud.
The financial realities of putting two boys through college made teaching an unrealistic pursuit so Joanne ventured into what would become a phenomenally successful 30 year career in real estate. After starting small and learning the industry from top to bottom, Joanne worked her way up to being one of the top agents in Los Gatos and Saratoga. While real estate afforded Joanne the extra income she needed to provide her sons with a quality education, it also allowed her to continue to counsel, advise, and help hundreds of grateful clients over the years, many of whom became life long friends. While working for a number of the finest real estate firms in the area, including Cornish and Carey, Fox and Carscaden and Coldwell Banker, she mentored and coached many young agents and helped them become successful in business and life. Joanne's participation was integral to the founding principles and philosophy of Sereno Group in Los Gatos.
In addition to family and career, Joanne's diverse passions included poetry, psychology, and spirituality. An accomplished writer herself, Joanne sought to bring the gift of great literature to others. She was instrumental in the establishment of the San Jose Society for Poetry and Literature. She founded the San Jose Poetry Center in 1975, and in that capacity brought world-famous poets to San Jose to perform and instruct. She also created a poetry-in-the-schools program whereby elementary school students throughout Santa Clara County were exposed to the likes of Robert Bly, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and other great poets of our time.
Joanne honed her psychology skills the hard way, by tirelessly working to improve herself. She remained a life-long spiritual learner as well, exploring many spiritual traditions and finally developing a very strong and solid Catholic faith and devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother. She followed Christ's example by investing her time in people and relationships and always took time to help a friend in need. Many friends from all areas of her life benefitted from her compassion, insight and sympathetic ear.
In 1996, Joanne was lucky enough to find a second chance for true love when she married her high school friend, James Lewis. In their 16-year marriage the two enjoyed travelling, spending time at their vacation home near Banff, Canada, and remodeling several homes, including most recently their vintage 1906 Craftsman home near the ocean in Santa Cruz. Joanne was instrumental in blending her own and Jim's families into one. With the addition of spouses and children over time, the Knapp Lewis family has become a family of 23.
Joanne will be lovingly remembered and is survived by her husband, James Lewis M.D., her sons Roger (wife Katherine) and Richard (wife Riva) and her step children Brendan (wife Bethany), Paige (husband Dave), Meagan (husband Tony) and Colleen (partner Kristen). Joanne's memory will also be cherished by her three grandchildren (Emily, Jason and Oscar) and six step grandchildren (Connor, Jared, Alexandra, Mia, Kali and Owen). Joanne will also be deeply missed by her only sibling, her brother, Don Bell.
Joanne was a loving wife, an adoring mother, a wonderful grandmother and a true friend. Her life was a gift not only to her family, but also to all who knew her. Her memory is a blessing that will be cherished forever, and she will be missed every day.
Joanne was born to Naple and Jovan Bell. Her younger brother, Don, was born five years later. In Texas, Joanne developed her love of horses, animals, and country living. Following their parents' divorce in the early 1950s, Joanne and Don moved with their mother to Santa Monica, Ca. In 1958, Joanne graduated from Santa Monica High School where, despite her Texas accent and country ways, she was a popular student, active in school politics, a flag twirler, and a member of the Sargenettes Marching Team.
While attending Santa Monica City College, Joanne married her high school sweetheart, James Knapp and the couple moved to Simi Valley, CA. In 1961, their first son Roger was born followed by son, Richard, in 1964.
In 1971, Joanne and James Knapp divorced and she and her two sons relocated to San Jose, CA. In order to provide a better life for her children, Joanne pursued a degree in English and Business at San Jose State New College. Overcoming the challenges of being a single parent and supporting 2 children while attending college, Joanne successfully graduated with a B.A. in Education and a Teaching Credential.
Joanne's degree afforded her the opportunity to do what she loved most and did best – teach, mentor, guide and support others. She initially worked as a substitute teacher and then taught kindergarten. While she loved working with children, she ultimately made her greatest educational contribution while teaching GED in High School Subjects in Metropolitan Adult Education. It was there that she mentored so many young adults for whom a high school diploma seemed unattainable. Joanne not only provided them the support, encouragement and guidance they needed to succeed in school, she also managed to develop a program whereby students could acquire one year's worth of the academic skills they needed in only one month of classroom time. This program successfully graduated over 600 students, an accomplishment of which Joanne was very proud.
The financial realities of putting two boys through college made teaching an unrealistic pursuit so Joanne ventured into what would become a phenomenally successful 30 year career in real estate. After starting small and learning the industry from top to bottom, Joanne worked her way up to being one of the top agents in Los Gatos and Saratoga. While real estate afforded Joanne the extra income she needed to provide her sons with a quality education, it also allowed her to continue to counsel, advise, and help hundreds of grateful clients over the years, many of whom became life long friends. While working for a number of the finest real estate firms in the area, including Cornish and Carey, Fox and Carscaden and Coldwell Banker, she mentored and coached many young agents and helped them become successful in business and life. Joanne's participation was integral to the founding principles and philosophy of Sereno Group in Los Gatos.
In addition to family and career, Joanne's diverse passions included poetry, psychology, and spirituality. An accomplished writer herself, Joanne sought to bring the gift of great literature to others. She was instrumental in the establishment of the San Jose Society for Poetry and Literature. She founded the San Jose Poetry Center in 1975, and in that capacity brought world-famous poets to San Jose to perform and instruct. She also created a poetry-in-the-schools program whereby elementary school students throughout Santa Clara County were exposed to the likes of Robert Bly, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and other great poets of our time.
Joanne honed her psychology skills the hard way, by tirelessly working to improve herself. She remained a life-long spiritual learner as well, exploring many spiritual traditions and finally developing a very strong and solid Catholic faith and devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother. She followed Christ's example by investing her time in people and relationships and always took time to help a friend in need. Many friends from all areas of her life benefitted from her compassion, insight and sympathetic ear.
In 1996, Joanne was lucky enough to find a second chance for true love when she married her high school friend, James Lewis. In their 16-year marriage the two enjoyed travelling, spending time at their vacation home near Banff, Canada, and remodeling several homes, including most recently their vintage 1906 Craftsman home near the ocean in Santa Cruz. Joanne was instrumental in blending her own and Jim's families into one. With the addition of spouses and children over time, the Knapp Lewis family has become a family of 23.
Joanne will be lovingly remembered and is survived by her husband, James Lewis M.D., her sons Roger (wife Katherine) and Richard (wife Riva) and her step children Brendan (wife Bethany), Paige (husband Dave), Meagan (husband Tony) and Colleen (partner Kristen). Joanne's memory will also be cherished by her three grandchildren (Emily, Jason and Oscar) and six step grandchildren (Connor, Jared, Alexandra, Mia, Kali and Owen). Joanne will also be deeply missed by her only sibling, her brother, Don Bell.
Joanne was a loving wife, an adoring mother, a wonderful grandmother and a true friend. Her life was a gift not only to her family, but also to all who knew her. Her memory is a blessing that will be cherished forever, and she will be missed every day.
It is with great sadness that the family of Joanne announces her passing, following a long courageous battle with cancer. Joanne peacefully returned to the Lord surrounded by her loving family and dear friends.
Joanne was born to Naple and Jovan Bell. Her younger brother, Don, was born five years later. In Texas, Joanne developed her love of horses, animals, and country living. Following their parents' divorce in the early 1950s, Joanne and Don moved with their mother to Santa Monica, Ca. In 1958, Joanne graduated from Santa Monica High School where, despite her Texas accent and country ways, she was a popular student, active in school politics, a flag twirler, and a member of the Sargenettes Marching Team.
While attending Santa Monica City College, Joanne married her high school sweetheart, James Knapp and the couple moved to Simi Valley, CA. In 1961, their first son Roger was born followed by son, Richard, in 1964.
In 1971, Joanne and James Knapp divorced and she and her two sons relocated to San Jose, CA. In order to provide a better life for her children, Joanne pursued a degree in English and Business at San Jose State New College. Overcoming the challenges of being a single parent and supporting 2 children while attending college, Joanne successfully graduated with a B.A. in Education and a Teaching Credential.
Joanne's degree afforded her the opportunity to do what she loved most and did best – teach, mentor, guide and support others. She initially worked as a substitute teacher and then taught kindergarten. While she loved working with children, she ultimately made her greatest educational contribution while teaching GED in High School Subjects in Metropolitan Adult Education. It was there that she mentored so many young adults for whom a high school diploma seemed unattainable. Joanne not only provided them the support, encouragement and guidance they needed to succeed in school, she also managed to develop a program whereby students could acquire one year's worth of the academic skills they needed in only one month of classroom time. This program successfully graduated over 600 students, an accomplishment of which Joanne was very proud.
The financial realities of putting two boys through college made teaching an unrealistic pursuit so Joanne ventured into what would become a phenomenally successful 30 year career in real estate. After starting small and learning the industry from top to bottom, Joanne worked her way up to being one of the top agents in Los Gatos and Saratoga. While real estate afforded Joanne the extra income she needed to provide her sons with a quality education, it also allowed her to continue to counsel, advise, and help hundreds of grateful clients over the years, many of whom became life long friends. While working for a number of the finest real estate firms in the area, including Cornish and Carey, Fox and Carscaden and Coldwell Banker, she mentored and coached many young agents and helped them become successful in business and life. Joanne's participation was integral to the founding principles and philosophy of Sereno Group in Los Gatos.
In addition to family and career, Joanne's diverse passions included poetry, psychology, and spirituality. An accomplished writer herself, Joanne sought to bring the gift of great literature to others. She was instrumental in the establishment of the San Jose Society for Poetry and Literature. She founded the San Jose Poetry Center in 1975, and in that capacity brought world-famous poets to San Jose to perform and instruct. She also created a poetry-in-the-schools program whereby elementary school students throughout Santa Clara County were exposed to the likes of Robert Bly, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and other great poets of our time.
Joanne honed her psychology skills the hard way, by tirelessly working to improve herself. She remained a life-long spiritual learner as well, exploring many spiritual traditions and finally developing a very strong and solid Catholic faith and devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother. She followed Christ's example by investing her time in people and relationships and always took time to help a friend in need. Many friends from all areas of her life benefitted from her compassion, insight and sympathetic ear.
In 1996, Joanne was lucky enough to find a second chance for true love when she married her high school friend, James Lewis. In their 16-year marriage the two enjoyed travelling, spending time at their vacation home near Banff, Canada, and remodeling several homes, including most recently their vintage 1906 Craftsman home near the ocean in Santa Cruz. Joanne was instrumental in blending her own and Jim's families into one. With the addition of spouses and children over time, the Knapp Lewis family has become a family of 23.
Joanne will be lovingly remembered and is survived by her husband, James Lewis M.D., her sons Roger (wife Katherine) and Richard (wife Riva) and her step children Brendan (wife Bethany), Paige (husband Dave), Meagan (husband Tony) and Colleen (partner Kristen). Joanne's memory will also be cherished by her three grandchildren (Emily, Jason and Oscar) and six step grandchildren (Connor, Jared, Alexandra, Mia, Kali and Owen). Joanne will also be deeply missed by her only sibling, her brother, Don Bell.
Joanne was a loving wife, an adoring mother, a wonderful grandmother and a true friend. Her life was a gift not only to her family, but also to all who knew her. Her memory is a blessing that will be cherished forever, and she will be missed every day.
Joanne was born to Naple and Jovan Bell. Her younger brother, Don, was born five years later. In Texas, Joanne developed her love of horses, animals, and country living. Following their parents' divorce in the early 1950s, Joanne and Don moved with their mother to Santa Monica, Ca. In 1958, Joanne graduated from Santa Monica High School where, despite her Texas accent and country ways, she was a popular student, active in school politics, a flag twirler, and a member of the Sargenettes Marching Team.
While attending Santa Monica City College, Joanne married her high school sweetheart, James Knapp and the couple moved to Simi Valley, CA. In 1961, their first son Roger was born followed by son, Richard, in 1964.
In 1971, Joanne and James Knapp divorced and she and her two sons relocated to San Jose, CA. In order to provide a better life for her children, Joanne pursued a degree in English and Business at San Jose State New College. Overcoming the challenges of being a single parent and supporting 2 children while attending college, Joanne successfully graduated with a B.A. in Education and a Teaching Credential.
Joanne's degree afforded her the opportunity to do what she loved most and did best – teach, mentor, guide and support others. She initially worked as a substitute teacher and then taught kindergarten. While she loved working with children, she ultimately made her greatest educational contribution while teaching GED in High School Subjects in Metropolitan Adult Education. It was there that she mentored so many young adults for whom a high school diploma seemed unattainable. Joanne not only provided them the support, encouragement and guidance they needed to succeed in school, she also managed to develop a program whereby students could acquire one year's worth of the academic skills they needed in only one month of classroom time. This program successfully graduated over 600 students, an accomplishment of which Joanne was very proud.
The financial realities of putting two boys through college made teaching an unrealistic pursuit so Joanne ventured into what would become a phenomenally successful 30 year career in real estate. After starting small and learning the industry from top to bottom, Joanne worked her way up to being one of the top agents in Los Gatos and Saratoga. While real estate afforded Joanne the extra income she needed to provide her sons with a quality education, it also allowed her to continue to counsel, advise, and help hundreds of grateful clients over the years, many of whom became life long friends. While working for a number of the finest real estate firms in the area, including Cornish and Carey, Fox and Carscaden and Coldwell Banker, she mentored and coached many young agents and helped them become successful in business and life. Joanne's participation was integral to the founding principles and philosophy of Sereno Group in Los Gatos.
In addition to family and career, Joanne's diverse passions included poetry, psychology, and spirituality. An accomplished writer herself, Joanne sought to bring the gift of great literature to others. She was instrumental in the establishment of the San Jose Society for Poetry and Literature. She founded the San Jose Poetry Center in 1975, and in that capacity brought world-famous poets to San Jose to perform and instruct. She also created a poetry-in-the-schools program whereby elementary school students throughout Santa Clara County were exposed to the likes of Robert Bly, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and other great poets of our time.
Joanne honed her psychology skills the hard way, by tirelessly working to improve herself. She remained a life-long spiritual learner as well, exploring many spiritual traditions and finally developing a very strong and solid Catholic faith and devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother. She followed Christ's example by investing her time in people and relationships and always took time to help a friend in need. Many friends from all areas of her life benefitted from her compassion, insight and sympathetic ear.
In 1996, Joanne was lucky enough to find a second chance for true love when she married her high school friend, James Lewis. In their 16-year marriage the two enjoyed travelling, spending time at their vacation home near Banff, Canada, and remodeling several homes, including most recently their vintage 1906 Craftsman home near the ocean in Santa Cruz. Joanne was instrumental in blending her own and Jim's families into one. With the addition of spouses and children over time, the Knapp Lewis family has become a family of 23.
Joanne will be lovingly remembered and is survived by her husband, James Lewis M.D., her sons Roger (wife Katherine) and Richard (wife Riva) and her step children Brendan (wife Bethany), Paige (husband Dave), Meagan (husband Tony) and Colleen (partner Kristen). Joanne's memory will also be cherished by her three grandchildren (Emily, Jason and Oscar) and six step grandchildren (Connor, Jared, Alexandra, Mia, Kali and Owen). Joanne will also be deeply missed by her only sibling, her brother, Don Bell.
Joanne was a loving wife, an adoring mother, a wonderful grandmother and a true friend. Her life was a gift not only to her family, but also to all who knew her. Her memory is a blessing that will be cherished forever, and she will be missed every day.
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