Joan Smith

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Jamieson Smith on December 5, 2025 at 97 years old. Joan was a cherished wife, sister, aunt, and dear friend to many. Always young, vivacious and adventurous, she may have stood just 4’11’’, but she was larger than life in every way that mattered.

Joan was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 9, 1928 to Eric A. Jamieson and Lillian S. (Campbell) Smith. She was the younger of two daughters, and deeply loved her sister, Barbara Smith. In the 1930’s, her family moved to Beamsville, Canada, where they helped operate a farm owned by Joan’s aunt following the passing of her husband. Joan graduated from Beamsville High School in 1946. Soon after, she and her sister traveled throughout Europe, igniting a lifelong passion for adventure and travel.

She pursued a career as a Medical Technologist, attending a two-year technical school in Toronto followed by a one-year residency in Vancouver B.C. In 1955, with a desire to move to the United States and live near her father in Las Vegas, a friend offered Joan a sponsorship to the United States and she secured employment at The Lab of Clinical Medicine in Seattle. There, she formed many lasting friendships and ultimately chose to make Seattle her home.

An avid skier, Joan spent countless days in the mountains with friends. On a ski trip to Sun Valley in 1956, she met her future husband, James Smith. Though they first met there, it wasn’t until a year later at Stevens Pass that their romance truly began. After a two-year courtship, they married on August 29, 1959, and shared sixty-two wonderful years together. In 1962, they purchased their lifelong home on the Queen Anne hillside, overlooking Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.

Joan lived life in constant motion. She was a dedicated cyclist, riding her bike daily well into her 80s—rain or shine—whether commuting, taking weekend tours and cycling vacations abroad. She was equally at home on the mountains, enjoying both cross-country and downhill skiing. You could also find her at the ice rink, where she excelled in both figure skating and ice dancing, or spending time at the theater or ballet with friends.

After a thirty-five-year career at The Lab of Clinical Medicine, Joan retired in 1990 at the age of 62. In retirement, Joan devoted herself to volunteering. For many years, she assisted seniors with tax preparation at the Ballard Senior Center, ushered at local theaters, and helped residents at Bayview Retirement Community.

Joan was a force of nature—always active, always engaged. Whether cycling, skiing, skating, traveling, gardening, second-hand shopping, joining Parks Department tours and classes, or volunteering, she did everything in her own unmistakable style; always classy, confident, and true to herself.

Joan was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband, James Thomas Smith, and survived by her cat Jenny, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A private memorial service will be held on January 25, 2026. For those interested in attending, please contact Maureen Hollister at m-s.hollister@comcast.net.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home -