Joan Brelje Pierce

Joan Lotys Margaret Clouse was born on June 6, 1936, in Portland, Oregon to Henry Clouse and Lotys (Horne Casey) Clouse. She received a BS in Special Education from Lewis and Clark College in 1960 and a Masters in Education from University of Portland in 1966. She was a teacher at the Washington State School for the deaf and a Reading Specialist in the Vancouver School District. She shared her passion for reading with countless children during her 28 years of teaching

She married H. William (Bill) Brelje in 1958 and is survived by two daughters, Julie Swarts (Geoff) and Tara Guimont (Will); and six grandchildren, Andrew Lockwood (Natalie), Emily Guimont (Trace), Grace Guimont, Mary Guimont, Claire Guimont, and Lillian Guimont.

She was preceded in death by her second husband, Alexander Bolton Pierce II whom she married in 1991; and sister, Judith Baumstark.

Joan passed away on February 26, 2025 at Mary’s Woods in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Her joy for life and love of family will be greatly missed. Interment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery.