Joan L. Starbird

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Joan Louise Starbird, who left us peacefully on March 1, 2024 at the age of 93. She was a devoted mother, cherished grandmother, and a beacon of love and strength to all who knew her.

Joan was born in Auburn, Indiana to Ethel and Edward Crutcher in 1930. She was the eldest of three children in the family. She spent most of her childhood and teen years in Akron, Ohio where she had many friends and graduated from Buchtel High School. She met her husband, Richard Starbird, while washing cars with her girlfriends. He had just come home from serving in WWII and was in college. The two fell in love immediately. Richard came home from his first date announcing to his parents that he had met his future wife! They married on August 28, 1948.

A year later, daughter Sandra was born. Joan was twenty years old when Dick was once again called to serve with the U.S. Army in Korea. Joan was home with a toddler while Dick was fighting for his country. When he returned from Korea and finished his college education, the family moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio. Sue was born in 1954 while the family lived in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.

Joan and Dick moved to Bellingham, WA in 1962 when Dick joined the staff at Western Washington University in the Department of Education. Joan enjoyed her summer vacations traveling with her family in their Airstream trailer and spending time at their home on beautiful Shaw Island in the San Juan Islands.

Joan was happy in her role as a mother and wife. She was known for her great cooking and immaculate home. Joan enjoyed playing bridge, decorating, attending Garden Club meetings, cooking for her family and traveling, particularly going on cruises. Joan was also an adoring foster mom and volunteered as a Pink Lady at St. Luke’s Hospital. She often reminisced about her days of holding newborn babies in the hospital.

In 1970, Joan and Dick’s third daughter, Christine, was born, followed by Tracy four years later. Most of Joan’s life was dedicated to raising children and family was Joan’s top priority. She loved spending quality time with her children and grandchildren. Following the loss of Dick in 2003, Joan continued to live in her home near her daughters and their families in Bellingham, WA.

During the last six years of her life, Joan was no longer able to walk and live independently. She chose to call Summit Place Assisted Living her residence. There she received help from many kind and caring staff and made dear friends. She adjusted to living a life that required more dependency on others which was so different from her fiercely independent nature. Her motto was “Choose Happy” and she inspired everyone who knew her with her bright smile and positive attitude.

In her final days, surrounded by her loving family, Joan found peace and comfort. While we grieve her loss deeply, we take solace in knowing that she is now reunited with loved ones who have gone before her. We will carry Joan's love in our hearts always, finding comfort in the memories we will cherish. Her legacy of love, strength, and resilience will continue to inspire us all.

Joan was predeceased by an infant son; father, Edward Crutcher; mother, Ethel Crutcher; husband, Richard Starbird; brother, Robert Crutcher; and, daughter Sandra Johnson.

She is survived by her sister, Jane Horne; daughters, Sue Wilson (Cliff), Christine Lyzwinski (Piotr), and Tracy Carlson (Christopher); son-in-law, Marcus Johnson; grandchildren, Ryan Wilson (Julie) and Kelly Olson (Dan), Cody and Téa Lyzwinski, Conner and Kira Carlson, Brett Johnson (Petra) and Brynn Leighton (Joe); and great-grandchildren, Nolan and Thatcher Wilson, Tyler and Kai Olson, Nikolas (Sophie), Andreas, Mattias and Lukas Johnson, and Sonia and William Leighton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Joan’s name to Whatcom Hospice.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 22 at 1:00pm at Bellingham Yacht Club (2625 S Harbor Loop Drive).