JoAnn Taylor

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, JoAnn Taylor, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at age 65.

JoAnn was born Oct. 14, 1957, in Wichita, Kansas, to John and LaVonne Baker. She was the oldest of their four children.

Growing up as the daughter of an Air Force mechanic, JoAnn lived in Kansas, California, Japan, and Florida. Her family moved to Priest River, Idaho, just before her junior year at Priest River Lamanna High School.

After graduation, JoAnn briefly attended North Idaho College before taking a job at the Bonner County Assessor Office in the vehicle licensing department. It was there that she met Joe Taylor, whom she married May 2, 1981, in Sandpoint; she loved him dearly for 42 years. Both would agree that those were the best years of their lives. The two settled in Sagle, Idaho, and together they raised a son, Nick, and daughter, Randi.

In 1990, while focusing on her family, JoAnn began her career working at Southside Elementary as the librarian. JoAnn retired in 2017 and her and Joe relocated to Newport, Wash., to live on the Pend Oreille River. It was a dream she held for a long time and was overjoyed when it came true.

JoAnn loved life. Classic Ford enthusiasts, you could often find JoAnn and Joe at a local car show. Her favorites of their cars were the matching red 1957 and 2004 Ford Thunderbirds. She had a passion for live music, whether it happened at venues, parks, or programs at our local schools. She enjoyed square and round dancing and danced all over the Inland Northwest. By far, JoAnn’s favorite activity was spending time with her children and grandchildren, typically on her beach in summer or around a game at the kitchen table during winter.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her father, John Baker; mother, LaVonne Baker; and brother, Michael Baker. She is survived by her husband, Joe; cat Lola, son, Nick (and Whitney) Taylor of Spanaway, Wash., and daughter Randi (and Greg) Schuh of Sagle; sister Jolene (and Bruce) Cassal of Spanaway, and brother Mitch (and Joanne) Baker of Post Falls; grandchildren Brennan and Lillianne Schuh; brothers-in-law Eddie (and Donna) Taylor of Oldtown and Tom (and Mary) Taylor of San Antonio, Texas, and sisters-in-law Brandy (and Jim) Mundy of Ione, Wash., and Rena (and John) Taylor of Priest River, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

JoAnn will be missed by many family and friends. Please say a prayer for her, and most of all, enjoy your time right now.