92, longtime Oahu resident, Joan Marie Dillon died on August 19, 2022 at Pohai Nani Nursing facility in Kaneohe, HI. Born in Walla Walla, Washington on July 19, 1930, to farmers John Earl and Geraldine (Gollehon) Drumheller, Joan spent her early childhood in Walla Walla on the Drumheller Ranch until the family settled in Spokane WA when she was 9. Following her graduation from the Lewis and Clark High School in 1948 she went to Washington State University where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Education degree and a minor in music. In high school and college, she was active in the choir and chorus and sang in many quartets.
It was at WSU where she met her husband, Philip Leask Vincent, who was studying Electrical Engineering. Philip and Joan married in 1954 and eventually moved their growing family to Honolulu in 1960.
It was in Honolulu that Joan's lifelong love of community theater took hold. Over the years she had over 40 leading and supporting roles with Honolulu Community Theater, Hawaii Pacific Actors Council, Diamond Head Theater, Windward Theater Guild, and the Honolulu Opera Chorus.
Joan started teaching elementary school and music for the Hawaii DOE in 1965 at Maile, Kauluwela, and Sunset Beach Elementary schools– before retiring 30 years later in 1995. After retiring she bought an RV on the mainland and spent the next 15 years visiting every state in America and enjoying life. She continued playing the ukulele and singing to anyone who would listen along the way. She eventually moved back to Kailua, HI, in 2014 to be near her daughter and granddaughters, continuing to sing and play music whenever she could, including as a member of the Windward Choral Society.
Predeceased by her husband and 2 sons, Douglas Vincent and Henry Vincent, Joan is survived by her only daughter, Gail Godenzi (Vincent) of Kailua, HI, son-in-law Lance Godenzi, and granddaughters Lani Godenzi of El Paso, TX, and Claire Godenzi of Irvine, CA.
Services pending.
Arrangements Provided By:
Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
