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Born to Edna Shinayo Yamada and Kiyoji Yamada in Waialua Sugar Plantation Hospital, Joanne was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and received such support from her parents that she never let it slow her down. She finally succumbed to pneumonia and complications from Cerebral Palsy after nearly four years of residential care at Hale Ola Kino. Following graduation from Waialua High School, she attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, received a Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City and a Master's Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. She cultivated interests in all the arts, loved live theatre and cinema, classical music, grand opera, and jazz. Joanne was an accomplished photographer, film critic, poet and essayist, writing with the clarity of a silver bell. She worked as a Teacher and for many years was a Program Officer at the Hawai'i Community Foundation where she was an advocate for many different groups and communities. She was also a world traveler, developing life-long friendships along the way. Joanne is survived by many good friends and 29 cousins. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements Provided By:
Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
