Joan Renee Arnold

When lilacs bloom again I will not be here to smell their delicate fragrant blooms although their scent remains with my loved ones. Joan Renee Mitchell-Arnold was born in Robbinsdale, Minnesota June 22, 1941. Joan joined our heavenly Father to go home on June 29, 2019 in Portland, Oregon after a long battle with multiple illnesses and cancer.

Personal information: Joan moved to San Fernando Valley, Ca as a child and graduated from CSUN with a Bachelor's Degree in Education at the age of 22. Joan taught in the public school system for 42 years total. Her passion for teaching was demonstrated at Weathers Field Elementary in Thousand Oaks, Ca for 34 years until she retired. She truly loved teaching first and second graders and combination classes and was known as the kind and funny teacher who made all her students laugh while learning. She loved teaching through fun and games and introduced technology such as PowerPoint at the start of it's time. Joan remembered every student and his or her parents, some of whom she taught as well. She loved all her volunteer parents, students, and coworkers. During her teaching career she also tutored, consulted as a reading specialist, and volunteered as a tutor to those in need. Joan exhibited a genuine love for children and taught within their special needs. After retirement in 2006, she moved to Portland, Oregon in 209 to join family. Here she volunteered her time by reading to children in Oregon. Joan had a close niche of fellow teachers who shared a love and passion for teaching and who kept in touch until her final days. Her retirement book was filled with quotes such as "We will all miss your jokes and hugs" from all the children.

She was proceeded in death by her parents and older brother Charles Mitchell. She leaves behind her beloved little brother James Mitchell and his dear friend Tim McGruder both of Redmond, Oregon. She is survived by a loving family; children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, as well as close and dear friends. Joan Renee Mitchell Arnold was known as the "Best mom, teacher, friend, sister and grandma in the universe". Joan's legacy of a devout Catholic; love, hardworking, laughter knowledge, forgiveness, acceptance, and wisdom will continue to live on. Joan's passion as an avid reader, in which she believed opened the doors of knowledge, will always be remembered with her love, grace, positivity, strength, kindness, compassion, and love for all. Please celebrate Joan's life by being kind to others, practice love for all, smile, read, and make the best out of life.

Services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Milwaukie, Or. Funeral and cemetery arrangements are in the care of Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery and Funeral Home in Happy Valley, Or. Time and dates will be announced in the future. If you would like to donate to a charity in honor of Joan Arnold please send it to Christ the King Catholic Church in Milwaukie, OR or Center4SpecialNeeds Non-Profit in Thousand Oaks, Ca.