The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Joan E. Kindig, 70, of Skamokawa, died peacefully and at ease on June 6, 2013, surrounded by her partner, Vicki Allenback, her family and lifelong friends.

Born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, Joan studied anthropology and had a natural healing ability which she practiced all her life. She was kind and generous, with a dry wit that sparkled out of a quiet presence and a look that left you no doubt about what she thought.

She traveled throughout the United States, loved the Southwest and settled in San Francisco, where she met Vicki, her partner of over 33 years. They moved to the San Mateo coast, where she delighted in the many animals who called the Pescadero ranchera home - the horses Foxfire, Jazzy, Nan and others, untold chickens and Henry the rooster. Joan was the local horse whisperer and nursed many an animal back, including her beloved rescue, Silver, an Australian sheepdog.

Joan was involved from the 1970’s in the field of computers and retired from VISA Intl. after many years as a systems analyst, concentrating finally in the area of disaster recovery and was very involved in projects regarding Y2K issues. Joan also volunteered with the Senior CoastSiders, in local community rehab projects for the homes of the elderly and disabled.

She fell in love with the Columbia River area and she and Vicki moved to Skamokawa to Foxfire Ranch, where their horses were quickly joined by Joe, Dually, Lexi, Mister and Jasper. More acres meant more chickens, rescue goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and the ranch manager, High Tide, the ever vigilant alpaca. Joan loved the beauty of the landscape and devoted her time to the rhythm and routine of the animals, loved to be with the horses, and could find a chicken egg in the most obscure, secret spot a hen might find. She loved the view of the surrounding hills, the river, trips to the Washington and Oregon coast, and continued with camping and hiking trips, and backpacking to California mountain lakes. She and Vicki took many a motorcycle trip, and spent time in the Yosemite, a special place for them. She loved life and every day was an adventure.

Joan is survived by her beloved partner, Vicki Allenback, family and long time friends, Liz Dunn and Kathy Phillips. She was predeceased by her parents, Lowell and Wanda Kindig, her mother Esther Kindig and her brother, Jim.

Her family is so very grateful for the loving care of Hospice Care Center, Longview, who made her journey onward so effortless. Donations in memory of Joan may be made to Hospice Care Center, 1035 11th Ave., (P.O. Box 2067), Longview, WA 98632, http://www.chhh.org.