Joan Sorensen Boyle
Former Steamboat Springs resident Joan Sorensen Boyle passed away May 10, 2009. She was 81.
Jo was born in Red Wing, Minn., on Oct. 17, 1927, and was raised on the family farm. She graduated from Bethesda Nursing School and married Stan Sorensen in 1949. They began a life together in Rapid City, S.D., before relocating to California in 1960.
Jo worked as the school nurse at Banning High School in Wilmington, Calif., and then branched into teaching vocational nursing at Los Angeles Harbor College. Stan passed away in 1989, and Jo met Tom Boyle while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 1991. Jo and Tom Boyle married in 1992. Their life together for the next 17 years was a whirlwind of world travel and adventure that Jo loved. They lived in Steamboat Springs from 1992 through 1997, when they moved to Oceanside, Calif. They enjoyed an active lifestyle until Jo's sudden illness May 6. She died peacefully at home May 10.
Jo lived an abundant, full life and was an inspiration to all of us who were blessed to know her. She taught us how to love each other and how to love the Lord. Our final lesson was on how to have a peaceful death surrounded by loving family members.
Jo's passions were for living the life of a Christian servant, studying His word, traveling, cooking and entertaining, gardening, reading and crosswords, and fun with family and friends. She enthusiastically collected angels, and now is no doubt thrilled to be with the real thing.
She is survived by her husband, Tom; brothers Harold Mark and Jerry Mark; sisters Marilyn (Steve) Watts and Harriet (Bob) Nelson; son Randy and his wife, Sharon Sorensen; daughter Kristi and her husband, Stevan Lucero; stepchildren Patrick, Beatrice, Theresa, Tom and Chris, and their spouses; Jo's grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
A visitation and prayer service was held May 15 at the Oceanside Mortuary, 602 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA. Mass was held May 16 at the Marine Memorial Chapel, Camp Pendleton, CA. Interment was May 16 at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 South Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
In lieu of flowers, Jo wished donations be made to City of Hope or the American Cancer Society.
