Joan A. Mackey

Joan A. Mackey

Joan A. Mackey, 84, passed away in the company of family on June 8, 2017 at Tacoma General Hospital, in Tacoma, Wash. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, with interment following in the Grandview Cemetery.

Joan was born on May 5, 1933 to Dan and Wanda Chess in Washington state. Joan grew up in Yakima, Wash., with her brothers David and Bill and her sisters Gladys, Colleen and Dorothy. Joan attended Selah High School. Joan relocated to Montana but selflessly returned home to care for her siblings after their mother passed away. She married Bob Mackey, the love of her life, in 1961. Joan and Bob made their home on a 100-acre ranch attained through the GI Bill in Troy, Mont. Their welcoming home has been described as a little slice of heaven. Joan and Bob’s doors were open to anyone needing a place to stay, truly sharing what they had built together.

Joan was a wonderful woman whose tireless way saw her pursue many interests. She was involved in local 4-H in Troy. She was also a part of sewing and knitting circles with her many friends. She enjoyed gardening and canning. Joan was no stranger to a rod and reel, loved to cook and could pull off a baked Alaska when called upon to do so. She was a strong person who beat cancer more than once. Joan Mackey with her wit and wisdom, clever sense of humor and abundant generosity will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved her.

Joan is proceeded in death by her parents Dan and Wanda Chess, her husband Bob, brother Bill, sisters Coleen and Dorothy, mother and father-in law Guy and Edna Mackey, brothers-in-law Ronald Mackey and Leonard Mackey, and sisters-in law Hazel (& Bob) Everett, Doris Randolph and Violet Bradshaw.

Joan is survived by her brother David (& Crystal) Chess of Port Orchard, Wash., her sister Gladys Peterson of Seattle, Wash., daughter Wanda Mackey of Four Lakes, Wash., sons Dan Mackey of Troy, Mont., and Richard (& Fran) Mackey of Corrigan, Texas, sister-in-law Penny Mackey of Florence, Mont., nine grandchildren and numerous other family and friends.

Joan believed in the restorative power of the Union Gospel Mission. Contributions may be made on her behalf.