Gloria Joan Totten passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 17, 2021. She lived a very full and remarkable life that embodied great devotion to family, grace, and faith. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out, perennially youthful in appearance and ageless to the end. Preferring her middle name pronounced “JoAnn,” she was born to Thomas Edward and Viola Anna Sheridan in Clinton, Iowa. The oldest of two children, JoAnn enjoyed incredible experiences and overcame challenges with an unyielding trust in God and passion for living throughout her life. She experienced the hard times of the Great Depression and the heartbreaking separation of her parents during her childhood. To make ends meet, she worked long hours as a teenager at the town bakery while maintaining excellent grades in school.
JoAnn met the love of her life, Donald Rodger Totten, while performing in the church choir. The two were married on September 7, 1947, and enjoyed a wonderful 63 years together, blessed with three children, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Four more great-grandchildren were added after Don’s passing in 2010.
JoAnn was an anchor for Donald, supporting him through college, moving to California for new adventures, and sacrificing her own dreams of college and a profession. Don’s career as an aeronautical engineer for the Department of Defense would take the couple to duty assignments at the Naval Weapons Center in Corona, Pearl Harbor, China Lake, Arlington, Virginia, and ultimately, the Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu. JoAnn would proudly proclaim that throughout their marriage the Totten’s moved 29 times!
A devoted mother who lived modestly, JoAnn also managed family finances with considerable skill to ensure her children had wonderful opportunities and a lot of good old-fashioned fun. Cross-country road trips were a hoot, and winter excursions back to Iowa with her were never dull; whether driving in a severe snowstorm or suffering yet another mechanical breakdown, she always managed to find a lesson for all to learn.
Holding full-time jobs for many years, she contributed mightily to the family budget yet never missed any of her children’s important activities. As a wife and mother, she was a trailblazer balancing work and family long before it became common. Above all, JoAnn loved her husband and children with every ounce of her being; always there to help, always willing to listen, and always a voice of encouragement. While we are deeply saddened to lose her, we take comfort in the knowledge that she arrived in heaven just in time to celebrate our Lord's birth.
JoAnn is survived by her children Judy, Greg (Irene), and Pam Beckwith; grandchildren Cheri Carey (Todd), Dominick Ronchetti (Becky), Andrea Ronchetti, and Claire Phillipi (Brad); ten great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Donald and sister Marilyn Harris.
The family would like to thank the staff of Community Memorial Hospital and Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse and Hospice for their help and care. We would also like to thank Pastor Leonard Dewitt of Jubilee Church in Ventura for his comforting visits and prayers.
JoAnn will be buried in a private ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Boyko & Reardon Telegraph Road Mortuary & Cremation, (805)643-8623. Visit: www.ReardonFuneral.com.