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- from "The Union, News for Nevada County, California" (theunion.com)
Joan Mayerle, age 90, passed away peacefully on July 28th at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, from complications subsequent to a fall. Joan was born in San Francisco to Joseph G. and Ruth Mayerle and lived her early years at 1511 21st Avenue in San Francisco. She was an only child and frequently referred to the family German Shepherd as her sister. She demonstrated a love for animals at a very early age. She graduated in 1953 from Dominican College of San Rafael, majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. While at Dominican, Joan was Women’s Athletic Association President in 1951, the student body Vice-President in 1952 and the Albertus Magnus (patron saint of natural sciences) President 1950, ‘51 and ‘52. In 1954 she took a post-graduate course at the University of San Francisco, achieving her Masters while competing with Medical students. In 1955 Joan received her doctorate in Mammalian Physiology and a Certificate of Completion for Medical Technology from the UC Berkeley School of Medicine. She then went on to work in various laboratories and research centers. In 1970 she wrote a copyrighted paper, now in the Library of Congress, on blood flow in adipose tissue. She also wrote articles for science and medical journals. Joan was athletic and loved to compete. She often hiked and biked, even competing in the National Senior Games in 1997. She raised Llamas on her farm/ranch in Nevada City, training them as pack animals for long treks. She also raised her beloved show dogs, Welsh Corgis, and was a member of the Gold Country Kennel Club. She was never without indoor and outdoor cats. Each of them getting her full attention and love. Joan was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grass Valley. She participated in many of the activities, from Bible Study to Book Club. In her last years it was the wonderful people she met through Church that were her lasting admirers and supporters. Joan had a wicked sense of humor and was quick with her ‘comebacks’. She laughed and smiled and was grateful to the end. We, her friends, will miss her. She was intelligent, genuine and special to all those who knew her and she will not be forgotten. Joan’s funeral will be at 1:00pm, September 2nd, at St. Patrick’s Church, Grass Valley (12:30 to include the preceding rosary) followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. All are welcome to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Joan Mayerle.
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1931 - 2022 (90 years)
Ruth W Cunningham, b. 22 Jul 1902, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA