Obituary of JoAnn Weiss

JoAnn Marie Weiss1929 - 2015JoAnn Marie Neet was born September 28, 1929 in Goshen, Oregon. She died July 30, 2015 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.She grew up in Fall Creek, Oregon with her parents Joe and Dossie Neet. She had a brother, Larry and a sister, LaMoyne. They lived in the Guard Station at Fall Creek where JoAnn’s father worked as a Forest Service Ranger. Later in life, she had a brother, Keith Prine. JoAnn attended Unity School and Lowell High School.When JoAnn was 16, she went to a dance at the WOW Hall on 8th Street in Eugene. She met a young man, Larry Weiss, dressed in uniform and just home from the war. They fell in love and were married on June 1, 1946 and enjoyed 68 wonderful years together.JoAnn and Larry worked hard together to begin Larry’s gravel business. When needed, JoAnn didn’t hesitate to drive dump truck. They had 3 children, Sheri (Ken) Roper, Kimberly Weiss, and Marla (Chuck) Swenson.JoAnn had a heart of service. She was an active member of Shangri-La Corporation, worked at St. Alice Church Catholic Social Services, and volunteered at Assistance League of Eugene and at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital.JoAnn had aspirations of becoming a singer as a young girl and delighted in singing and entertaining with the Sweet Adelines. She became a gifted artist and began painting with oils in her 40’s and excelled at water colors during her 50’s. JoAnn was a good seamstress and a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed the beauty of nature and spent countless hours working in her beautiful yard and rose garden. JoAnn was a very accomplished cook. She and Larry hosted many dinners and parties for friends and family over the years. Her home was always a hub for family gatherings and her food was exceptional. She was fun and beautiful,…an elegant lady. JoAnn and Larry loved the adventure of traveling with their great friends to many international destinations.JoAnn had a strong faith and was a devoted Catholic who loved the life God gave her. She loved her children, loved music and entertaining. But of all these loves, her passion was for her special needs daughter Kimberly. JoAnn and Larry gave a good part of their lives providing the best possible care for Kim. They were instrumental in helping to establish Shangri-La Corporation in Salem where Kim lived for most of her life. She was a very loving mother to all her girls, and to her 5 grandchildren, Mark, Brandon, Jeff, Stefani, and Chad, and to her 3 great-grandchildren.JoAnn spent the last 5 years of her life at Farmington Square in Eugene where she was well cared for. Joann will be remembered for her compassionate and generous heart, her gentle spirit, and of giving selflessly to help others in need. There will be a memorial service and reception for JoAnn, Monday, August 10 at 12 PM, at St. Paul Catholic Church: 1201 Satre St., Eugene. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shangri-La Corporation, 4080 Reed Road SE, Ste. 150, Salem, OR 97302. Please note on your donation: In Memory of JoAnn Weiss. Arrangements entrusted to Springfield Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary, and you are invited to sign the guestbook at www.musgroves.com.