Joanne Louise Hjort

Joanne Hjort, beloved of many, is resting in peace following eighty years of bold living, the last twenty-five while courageously facing progressive MS. Two days after deciding to begin hospice care related to pneumonia and congestive heart failure, she joined her beloved Dennis in the next great adventure on December 21, 2024.

Joanne was born in Snohomish, WA on December 3, 1944 to Clarence and Esther Hjort. She was the third of four children and the only girl. She is survived by a wide circle of family, friends, former teacher and librarian colleagues, her families at Seattle First Baptist Church and Bayview Retirement Community, and a host of former students, thespians and good troublemakers.

As a little girl living on a dairy farm in Carnation, WA, Joanne dreamed of being on stage and began studying ballet at the age of five. An accomplished ballet student at Cornish College of the Arts throughout her childhood and teen years, she went on to dance in New York City. In addition to her work at Cornish, Joanne graduated from Snohomish High School, the University of Washington School of Drama, and Seattle University's graduate program in Educational Administration.

Joanne began her education career teaching drama at Bothell High School in the Northshore School District. She was chosen to participate in a Fulbright teacher exchange program and spent a year in England, where she made lifelong friends. She went on to teach sixth grade, where as a trendsetter, she introduced the practice of producing full-length Shakespeare dramas with young children. Later in her career she became a school librarian where her innovations transformed the library into a hub of creative activity and a haven where students and teachers alike could belong and thrive. She also directed community theater for over thirty years through a group she started at Seattle First Baptist Church. In all of these endeavors, Joanne was known for her insight into people's minds and hearts and the ability to engage with absolutely everyone. She was a valued mentor and friend who saw the potential in each person and guided them in achieving it. She gave shy people courage as she shepherded productions that ranged from Vaudeville to Ibsen. Glowing tributes from former colleagues and students speak to her deep wisdom, her outside-the-box creativity and her way of including everyone.

In addition to her life in theater arts, Joanne was a visual and textile artist. From a young age, she started sewing tutus and ballerina skirts for her fellow students at Cornish. She went on to become an accomplished dressmaker, costume designer and creator of stunning quilts. She also had a knack for storytelling and for drawing out other people's stories.

Joanne met Dennis Raymond through the drama program she started at her church. After casting him in one of her plays, she said she saw him on stage in a kilt, with his knobby knees and red hair, and fell in love. They married in 1987. They loved to travel and made many trips to England, Austria, Denmark, and Northern Ireland, taking in dramatic productions along the way. After Joanne's MS diagnosis in 1999, they started traveling by cruise ship, to Panama, the Baltic, the Maritime Provinces and Alaska. As a lover of Russian history, she fulfilled her dream of visiting The Hermitage in St. Petersburg. For thirty years they took in the Ashland Shakespeare Festival with friends. She rolled to a play at the Seattle Rep a few days before her hospitalization. They loved to swim, to walk/roll the beach at Shilshole, and to dine with good friends. Joanne frequently held court at Ray's Boathouse just down the street from their condo. Joanne and Dennis had thirty-seven happy years together before his death in April of 2024

Joanne was grateful for the skilled, compassionate care provided by staff at Bayview Assisted Living and UW Medical Center.

A Celebration of Life for Joanne is planned for February 9 at 1:00pm at Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave, Seattle 98122. Parking is tricky so use public transportation or carpool wherever possible.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to KUOW/NPR, Cascade PBS or the Bayview Manor Foundation.

Please remember Joanne by being bold, creative and inclusive in your own life!

Sign the online guestbook, located above.

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle