JOAN LOUISE SIMMS BELLINGERBeautiful Joan Louise Bellinger passed away on September 15, 2019. She was 95 years old. Joan moved to Hawaii with her family in 1927 when she was three years old. Her parents, James and Florence Simms, moved to Hawaii from California when Joan's father, an architect, was hired by prominent Honolulu architect C. W. Dickie. Joan was swept up by the spirit and warmth of Hawaii and its people from the moment she arrived on these shores. Her heart was always in Hawaii. In 1945 she married her Roosevelt High School sweetheart, Johnny Bellinger. Joan was a cheerleader at Roosevelt and Johnny was a star end on the Roosevelt football team. They were inseparable in school and remained so throughout their lives. Both Joan and Johnny attended the University of Hawaii before their marriage and Johnny went on to lead First Hawaiian Bank. During their lives together, Joan and Johnny gave generously to the community they both loved. It was something they both really believed was the right thing to do. After Johnny passed away in 1989, Joan continued their tradition. There are so many people and causes in Hawaii that have been blessed by her generosity. Joan had an amazing and fantastic life, full of friends and family. All who knew her loved her, and those who knew her best and longest, loved her most. Joan was predeceased by her sister, Ann Stubenberg, and is survived by her children Dona, Jan and Neil (Christy) Bellinger as well as many nieces and nephews. A private gathering of family and friends will be held later. Interment will be with her husband at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan's name to the Diamond Head Theatre.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased