Joan Marie Sawyer Robles, loving wife, mother and friend, passed away at the age of 91 on January 8, 2025. She was born in Ventura, California on May 15, 1933, to parents Ruben and Thelma Sawyer and was raised on the Canet Ranch with her brother Ernie Sawyer and sister Mary Jane Sawyer. She graduated from Ventura High School in 1952.
On February 12, 1953, she married “the love of her life,” David Robles. They raised five children in Ojai: David Thomas, Juanita, Lisa, Mark and Connie in the house that David built in 1954. When all the children were school-age, Joan began working as a teacher’s aide at Mira Monte Elementary School. This led to her lifelong love of teaching. She eventually earned a certificate as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, and she taught many children in Ojai and Ventura Unified School Districts for 30 years.
Joan was also involved with the Mexican Fiesta every year in Ojai and loved the Bird Club. She had a great passion for birds since childhood. She had several aviaries with finches, button quail, love birds and canaries. In later years, she met and fell in love with her loyal partner of 20 years, Gerald Kam.
Joan is survived by her children Juanita Robles, Lisa Robles and Connie (Evan) Olivas; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her brother Ernie Sawyer; and her partner Gerald Kam. She is preceded in death by her husband David Robles, son David Thomas, son Mark Robles, and sister Mary Jane Cummings. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Livingston Hospice Nurses.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 5:00 to 8:00pm on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 East Main Street, Ventura. Funeral services will be held in the Funeral Home on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 12:30 pm with Pastor Ron Triggs of Redemption Church officiating. She will be buried at 2:00 pm at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura. We invite all who knew and loved Joan to join us in honoring her memory and celebrating the beautiful life she lived.