Joan Mae Barnette passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 2, 2026, at the age of 89, at Elite Manor in Escondido, California. After living with dementia for nearly two years, she is now at rest.

Joan was born on February 18, 1937, in Lynwood, California. She attended Compton College, where she discovered her love for acting, performing both in college and community theater. Though she left college before completing her degree, her passion for creativity and expression stayed with her throughout her life.

Joan dedicated over 30 years of her career to Pacific Bell, retiring in 1993. Outside of work, she filled her days with the things she loved most—needlepoint, knitting, cross-stitch, macramé, playing games and cards, and collecting beautiful jewelry that perfectly matched her vibrant spirit. Joan was truly the life of the party—funny, talented, kind, loving, and wonderfully colorful. She had a way of lighting up every room she entered and brought joy and laughter to everyone lucky enough to know her. Above all, she deeply loved her family and friends.

She is survived by her sons, Mike Barnette (wife Jennifer) and Steven Barnette (partner Velvet Kaufman); her grandchildren, Carly Barnette, Matthew Barnette, Chad Kaufman, Ashlee Deno, and great grandson Ryder Kaufman.  Joan was preceded in death by her husbands, Bruce Denny and James Barnette, and her children, Chad Barnette and Stacie Scrum.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on May 23, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Elks Lodge of Poway, located at 13219 Poway Road, Poway, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Joan's favorite animal charities: Helen Woodward Animal Center ( https://animalcenter.org/) or the Rockaway Ricky Memorial Fund ( https://rockawayricky.org/).

Joan's legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable style will live on in all of us.