Daily Sitka Sentinel

JoAnne Chartrand

JoAnne Laura Chartrand passed away Jan. 27 after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage,  surrounded by her loving husband, family and friends.
JoAnne was born Nov. 25, 1945, in Hoonah to Harvey and Marietta Williams Sr. She was Raven, a member of the T’akdeintaan Clan, of the Kaa Shaayi Hit (Severed Head House) and her Tlingit name was Sakoone.
JoAnne worked at the Southeast Alaska Health Consortium in Sitka for many years before she moved to Juneau, where she retired from SEARHC and then moved to Wasilla, where she lived for the last five years of her life.
She grew up in Sitka and always considered Sitka her home. After graduating from Sitka High School, she attended the University of Alaska.  
In 1983, JoAnne met the love of her life, Richard Chartrand, and they were married in Juneau, in 1991.  The love of their lives has been their devoted dog Tigger. He took care of her during her battle with cancer when Rich worked. Tigger made sure she felt safe and loved, which was very comforting to her family and to Rich.
JoAnne loved her family and recently was fortunate enough the spend time with her daughter Glenda and her family when they moved to Wasilla in November 2011. Her daughter wrote, “My mom was the strongest,  most beautiful woman in the World ... I wanted to grow old together ... I miss you sooo much ... You are my Hero!!!! I love you ....”
JoAnne was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; due to her illness she was unable to travel but kept in contact with them when she could.
Joanne had a passion for softball, the Mariners, the Seahawks and the NBA. She loved playing softball in Sitka and Juneau and was well known for her pitching. She thoroughly enjoyed herself when she and Rich went to the Mariners spring training with the Berrys in 2006.  In the NBA, her long time favorite player was Charles Barkley and she let everyone know it!
JoAnne was a tribal member of Sitka Tribes of Alaska and Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; and a shareholder of Shee Atika Inc., Goldbelt Corporation and Sealaska Corporation.
She is survived by the love of her life and soul mate husband Richard Chartrand of Wasilla; daughter Glenda (Timothy) Drevas of Wasilla; grandchildren Jamailyn, Taylor and Isabella Drevas of Wasilla; Levi Harriman (Megan Rose), Jessica Meacock (Holden Bennett) and Krista Meacock of Goldendale, Wash.; great-grandchildren Marcus and Marcianna Harriman of Juneau; and David and Kaylie Harriman, Natalee Meacock and Paige Meacock of Goldendale, Wash.
She also is survived by her siblings, Esther Liberty of Juneau, Marion (Gary) Berry of Seattle, Harvey (Kathi) Williams Jr. of Pacific, Wash., and Walleen (Danny) Whitson of Sitka; her aunts, Mabel Moy and Virginia Moy of Sitka; Uncle Nick Derenoff of Wasilla; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Jodine Meacock, her parents Marietta and Harvey Williams Sr., brother George Williams, sisters Harvietta Olson and Dorothy Trivett, nephew Jay Liberty, and nieces LaVon Liberty and Amber Whitson.
The dates in July for her memorial services in Juneau and Sitka will be announced. Per her request, she will be cremated and her ashes will be spread with her daughter, Jodine Meacock.
Rich may be contacted by mail at 1041 N. Tom Watson Place, Wasilla, AK 99623 or by phone at (907) 715-4272.