Joanne Elaine Harding

Joanne Elaine Harding, age 77, of Corvallis, died June 21, 2017, with family by her side. Joanne Elaine Harding, the daughter of the late Frank and Eunice Pocock, was born March 5, 1940 in Los Angeles, California. Joanne graduated from Alhambra High School and received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Southern California. Joanne Elaine Pocock and Paul D Harding were married and sealed for time and all eternity on May 15, 1964 in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joanne and Paul moved to Corvallis in 1979, where they raised six children. They were married for 53 years and were the owners of Quail Crest Foods. Joanne loved her profession. She worked at Williams Drugs, Albright and Raw, the Medicine Shoppe in Albany, and Rice's Pharmacy. She worked as a pharmacist for over 50 years. While she loved her work, her pride and joy was in her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joanne was always kind and loving to her family and friends and willing to serve and help others. All who knew her realized how great a cook she was. She went above and beyond the call of a mother as many of the kids’ friends called her Mom and Grandma. The children and grandchildren would always search her out to play games, and she let them win most of the time, if not always. She would read books with them, work on crafts and projects, play dress-up, teach them to play the piano, took them swimming, sang them songs, and attended all games and events if she was available. Many were blessed by the fruits of her labors including, fresh fruit and produce, baked bread, canned preserves, and handmade quilts for all occasions. She loved to provide service in her Church. She was a Nursery Leader and Paul was her assistant. She was a counselor in both the Stake and Ward Relief Society Presidencies, which is a service organization for women. She served as a Primary President in her Church in Glendora, California, working with children from 18 months to 11 year olds. She also served as PTA President in Monterey Park, California. Joanne enjoyed road trips with the family. One of the most exciting trips was the drive to Mexico City for an LDS Church Mission. Later, they served another two-year mission in Southern California as employment specialists. She was an experienced genealogist and a member of the LDS Family History Center Staff in Corvallis. She was an 11-year ordinance worker at the Portland LDS Temple, and a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Organization. She is survived by her husband Paul Dee Harding and her brother Eugene Robert Pocock of Glendora, California. She is also survived by her six children; thirteen grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Her children are David Harding of Boston Massachusetts, Roger and Teresa Harding of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Kevin and Christin Harding of Albany, Karen Harding and Dennis Gary of Corvallis, Richard Todd Harding of Blue Lake, California, and Loralee and Taylor Zeigler of Eugene. Grandchildren are Anne, Emma, and Mary Harding, Curtis Harding (wife Marisa), Tyler Harding(wife Lacy), Danny Harding (wife Ashley), Jessica Harding, Jocelyn Smith (husband Samuel), Emily Harding, Thomas Harding, Dyllan and Dynver Gary, and Rowan Zeigler. Her great-grandchildren are Parker, Nash, and Paisley Harding. She was strong in her faith and an example to us all. She will be missed but not forgotten. A visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23 at McHenry Funeral Home, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 24 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4141 NW Harrison Blvd. Corvallis. A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. at the church.

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Joanne Elaine Harding

March 5, 1940 - June 21, 2017