Joanne Frances Reese

long time Bainbridge Island resident, passed away the evening of July 23rd at home following a short illness.Born in Seattle on January 31, 1934 to Minor S 'Mike' Lynch and Elsie Anttila Lynch. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1952. On July 25, 1952 she married William 'Bill' Reese in Idaho.She graduated from the University of Washington in 1972 with a degree in education. She loved kids and education. She worked for the Bainbridge Island School District as a paraprofessional at Blakely Elementary School and retired in 1999. For many years she tutored students out of her house and enjoyed watching her 'kids' graduate from high school and realizing their full potential. Her last student graduated this year.Joanne is survived by her husband William I Reese and two sons, Michael L Reese (Patsy) of Bainbridge Island and Gary S Reese (Diane) of Poulsbo WA. She has four grandchildren Kimberly Bund (Matthew) of Houston TX, Tracy Dew (Chris) of Bainbridge Island WA, Shannon Reese of Marysville WA, and Matthew Reese of Suquamish WA. She has five great grandchildren Jacob, Ashley, Taylor, Logan, and Parker. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn Lacy of Union WA. She was preceded in death by her first born son William I Reese, Jr. in 2005.Those of us whose lives were lucky enough to have been touched by this wonderful lady will surely miss her ability to light up a room with her smile and optimism.There will be a celebration of her life at 2:00pm on September 10th at Island Center Hall, 8395 Fletcher Bay Road NE, Bainbridge Island WA.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PAWS of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, or the American Cancer Society. Please sign the online guestbook for the family.